Leasing in the industrial and logistics (I&L) sector reached an all-time high of 39.5 million square feet in CY 2024 across the top eight cities, a remarkable milestone driven by a substantial supply addition of 38.6 million square feet, according to the latest report by CBRE South Asia Pvt Ltd, titled ‘CBRE Industrial & Logistics Figures H2 2024.’ The report emphasises the continued momentum in leasing, with strong activity across various regions. Notably, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Kolkata were the leading contributors, together accounting for almost 60 per cent of the total leasing activity during the year.
Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru stood out in terms of supply addition, collectively contributing to over half of the new space in CY 2024. The report identifies third-party logistics (3PL) players as the dominant force in space take-up, with these firms accounting for 41 per cent of the leasing activity. Additionally, engineering and manufacturing companies maintained a strong presence, with an 18 per cent share in the overall space absorption.
Interestingly, the space uptake was predominantly driven by smaller transactions, with those under 50,000 square feet representing 43 per cent of the total leasing volume. Medium-sized transactions (ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 square feet) and larger transactions (exceeding 100,000 square feet) each comprised 28 per cent of the total activity.
Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO of CBRE for India, Southeast Asia, Middle East & Africa, highlighted the resilience of the I&L sector amidst global economic uncertainties, predicting further growth in 2025. He anticipates that in-city warehousing and the quick-commerce model will play an increasingly significant role, with Delhi-NCR, Kolkata, and Bengaluru expected to lead the absorption trends in the coming year.
Safexpress has strengthened its logistics footprint in North India with the inauguration of a new integrated logistics park in Rajpura, Punjab. Strategically located on NH-44 at Gandian, Madanpur, the facility is designed to enhance supply chain efficiency while supporting the growing warehousing and distribution requirements of businesses across Punjab and neighbouring markets. Spread across 2.4 lakh square feet, the logistics park combines advanced transshipment capabilities with third-party logistics (3PL) services, enabling faster movement of goods and improved inventory management. The facility is expected to cater to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers operating across multiple industry sectors, reinforcing Rajpura's position as an emerging logistics destination. The newly commissioned logistics park features a modern cross-dock design that allows simultaneous loading and unloading of more than 41 vehicles, improving operational turnaround times. A column-free span exceeding 105 feet provides unobstructed movement of cargo and material handling equipment, while 16-foot-wide cantilever sheds facilitate uninterrupted loading and unloading operations regardless of weather conditions. Rajpura has witnessed rapid industrial growth in recent years due to its strategic location between Delhi and Chandigarh. The region is home to a diverse manufacturing base comprising agro and food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering, automotive components, packaging, plastics, chemicals and construction materials. Strong road and rail connectivity, coupled with established industrial estates, has made the city an attractive logistics and distribution hub for businesses serving North India. The company expects the new logistics park to address the increasing demand for modern logistics infrastructure while improving supply chain reliability for industries operating in the region. Faster cargo movement and enhanced warehousing capabilities are likely to help businesses optimise distribution networks, reduce transit times and improve service levels across domestic markets. The Rajpura facility also incorporates several sustainability and safety initiatives. It is equipped with modern firefighting systems and trained emergency response personnel to ensure operational safety. Environmental features include an integrated rainwater harvesting system, dedicated green areas and extensive use of natural daylight, helping reduce energy consumption and promote sustainable operations. The inauguration marks another step in Safexpress' ongoing investment in expanding its pan-India logistics network. By strengthening infrastructure in a key industrial corridor, the company aims to improve nationwide connectivity while supporting regional economic development and enabling businesses to access faster, more efficient and dependable supply chain solutions across India. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
In a move aimed at supporting India's expanding logistics sector, Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) and RITES Limited have entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop modern logistics infrastructure across the country. The partnership will focus on delivering comprehensive Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services for future infrastructure projects. The collaboration brings together CONCOR's long-standing expertise in multimodal transportation, inland container terminals, containerized cargo handling and supply chain management with RITES' strengths in engineering consultancy, infrastructure planning, project execution and technical advisory services. By combining their capabilities, both public sector enterprises intend to create efficient and sustainable logistics solutions that cater to the country's growing industrial and trade demands. As part of the agreement, CONCOR and RITES will identify and pursue opportunities related to the planning, design, construction and implementation of logistics infrastructure. The objective is to adopt advanced engineering techniques, streamlined project management practices and innovative logistics planning to ensure timely execution while improving operational efficiency. The initiative also complements the Government of India's broader agenda to strengthen multimodal connectivity through flagship programmes such as the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and the National Logistics Policy. By working together, the two organisations expect to contribute towards lowering logistics costs, improving freight movement and enhancing the nation's overall supply chain competitiveness. Officials associated with the partnership believe the collaboration will pave the way for the development of logistics parks, multimodal cargo terminals, freight corridors and other key infrastructure projects. They added that the alliance represents another step towards building an integrated logistics ecosystem capable of supporting India's ambition to emerge as a global logistics hub through technology-driven and future-ready infrastructure.
India’s warehousing and intralogistics sector is entering a new phase of growth, driven by the rapid expansion of e-commerce, quick commerce, manufacturing, and third-party logistics. Against this backdrop, Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) has marked the 25th anniversary of its Chennai manufacturing facility, reaffirming its commitment to advancing India’s logistics infrastructure through continued investments in automation, engineering excellence, and next-generation warehousing solutions. A cornerstone of the company’s Storage Solutions business, the Chennai facility has evolved into one of the region’s largest and most advanced intralogistics manufacturing hubs. Backed by over seven decades of expertise in intralogistics, the business has announced further investments across its Chennai and Bengaluru operations to strengthen production capabilities, accelerate innovation, and support the growing demand for intelligent warehousing infrastructure. The milestone comes at a time when warehousing is becoming increasingly critical to supply chain resilience and operational efficiency. With annual warehousing absorption in India crossing approximately 39 million sq. ft., demand for automated, high-density storage systems continues to rise as businesses seek greater speed, scalability, and cost efficiency across their supply chains. Over the past 25 years, the Chennai facility has expanded its manufacturing and engineering capabilities to deliver complex intralogistics projects with greater precision and faster execution. Today, it produces advanced systems that support automated warehouses, high-density storage environments, and large-scale distribution operations, reinforcing its role as a strategic enabler of India’s industrial growth. Commenting on the milestone, Vikas Choudaha, Business Head – Storage Solutions, Godrej Enterprises Group stated, “As we mark 25 years of our Chennai manufacturing facility, it reflects how we have steadily scaled our capabilities to support India’s rapidly evolving logistics and warehousing ecosystem. As supply chains become faster and more complex, the need for intelligent, technology-led and future-ready infrastructure is intensifying, and at Godrej Enterprises Group, we are actively shaping this transformation through investments in advanced engineering, innovation, and automation-led capabilities.” The company has strengthened its market position through automation-led manufacturing, precision engineering, and integrated digital design-to-delivery systems. Its portfolio includes automated racking solutions and rack-clad warehouses designed to maximise storage density, improve throughput, and optimise land utilisation. Notably, the company states that one in every three warehouses in India is powered by Godrej racking solutions. Sustainability remains a key focus area, with manufacturing operations incorporating real-time monitoring and optimisation of energy and water consumption. These initiatives align with the company’s broader vision of delivering environmentally responsible infrastructure while enhancing operational efficiency. Beyond India, Godrej Enterprises Group has established a strong global footprint, exporting engineering-led intralogistics solutions to more than 40 countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, ASEAN, and Australia. As India advances towards becoming a globally competitive manufacturing and logistics hub, Godrej Enterprises Group’s continued investments in automation, digital transformation, and sustainable infrastructure position it to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of warehousing and supply chain excellence.