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Nagpur is set for a major expansion in logistics infrastructure, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stating that the city requires at least 20 additional mega logistics parks to meet rising industrial and warehousing demand.
The remarks were made during the inauguration of the Godam Logistics Park on Amravati Road, one of the largest integrated logistics facilities in central India. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari also attended the event and described Nagpur as a rapidly emerging logistics hub due to its strategic location and growing transport connectivity.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis mentions, "Today, along with Nitin Gadkari, I inaugurated the Warehouse Logistics Park in Nagpur. A state-of-the-art facility has been developed, spread across more than 100 acres. This project will provide a major boost to the logistics and manufacturing sectors. The logistics policy we introduced in the past has helped Nagpur emerge as a logistics hub of the country. With a large number of logistics parks being developed, logistics costs will reduce significantly. If we want to compete globally and become a part of the global supply chain, reducing logistics costs is essential."
Industry experts have increasingly viewed Nagpur as a natural distribution centre because of its location at the geographical centre of India. The city connects major freight corridors linking Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, giving companies shorter transit times to key consumption markets.
Gadkari highlighted that India’s logistics costs remain higher than global benchmarks, estimating them at nearly 16% of GDP compared with around 8% in China and 12% in several European economies. However, he claimed infrastructure upgrades, including highway expansion and improved fuel efficiency, are gradually reducing freight costs.
The push for logistics infrastructure in Nagpur comes amid a broader industrial buildout across Vidarbha. Over the past year, multiple warehousing and industrial park projects have been announced in the region, including smart logistics parks, multimodal freight hubs and AI-enabled manufacturing clusters.
The Maharashtra government is also banking on future port connectivity to strengthen the region’s supply chain ecosystem. Fadnavis said the upcoming Vadhvan Port project on the Konkan coast is expected to significantly improve export access for industries in central India once operational later this decade.
Nagpur’s logistics expansion is expected to support sectors such as manufacturing, e-commerce, cold chain distribution and air cargo, while also generating employment in warehousing, transport and industrial services. However, analysts note that sustained growth will depend on faster multimodal connectivity, improved urban infrastructure and long-term industrial demand.
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Flipkart has expanded the scope of its logistics business by opening its supply chain arm, Ekart, to external businesses, allowing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, manufacturers and large enterprises to use its nationwide logistics infrastructure. The move marks a broader push by the e-commerce company to grow its business-to-business logistics operations beyond servicing its own marketplace. Under the new model, businesses can access Ekart's transportation, warehousing and fulfilment services without being part of the Flipkart ecosystem. The company has also introduced a franchise-based logistics network that currently operates through more than 300 outlets across cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Surat. Flipkart plans to expand this network to over 1,000 outlets by the end of 2026. The expansion is aimed at enabling smaller businesses to leverage an established national logistics network instead of investing in their own distribution infrastructure. In addition to freight movement and last-mile delivery, participating businesses will gain access to Ekart's warehousing facilities and technology platform to manage inventory, fulfilment and shipment tracking. The development reflects the increasing trend of e-commerce companies commercialising their in-house logistics capabilities as standalone service offerings. India's growing D2C ecosystem, coupled with rising demand for integrated supply chain solutions, has created new opportunities for logistics providers offering nationwide fulfilment, transportation and warehouse management services. Ekart has gradually expanded its third-party logistics portfolio in recent years through services such as warehousing, business-to-business transportation and integration with digital commerce platforms. The latest initiative further broadens its addressable customer base by making its end-to-end logistics network available to businesses across sectors. The company said the expanded network is designed to support businesses of varying sizes by providing access to nationwide logistics infrastructure, allowing them to focus on product development and market expansion while outsourcing supply chain operations. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
The Ministry of Railways has approved the appointment of Ajit Kumar Panda as the next Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR). The appointment was cleared by the Competent Authority through an order dated June 29, 2026, and will take effect when Panda assumes office on or after August 1, 2026. According to the company, Panda's tenure will continue until August 31, 2028, the date of his superannuation, or until further government orders, whichever comes earlier. He will serve in the ₹2,00,000–3,70,000 (IDA) pay scale. CONCOR also stated that the remaining statutory formalities under the Companies Act, 2013, and the SEBI Listing Regulations are currently being completed, with the necessary disclosures to be filed with the stock exchanges in due course. Currently serving as Director (Projects & Services) at CONCOR, Panda was recommended for the top position by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) in April 2026 following a competitive selection process involving senior executives from the railways, infrastructure and logistics sectors. Panda brings decades of experience in rail infrastructure, freight transportation and project execution. Before joining CONCOR, he worked as Executive Director (Mechanical Engineering and Project Planning & Development) at Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). During his career in Indian Railways, he has also held several key positions, including Director (Production Units and Efficiency & Research) at the Railway Board and Chief Workshop Manager at East Coast Railway's Mancheswar Workshop. He has additionally served in multiple leadership roles under South Eastern Railway. His professional experience extends beyond railway operations. Panda has represented the rail sector on the boards of several special purpose vehicle companies, including Haridaspur Paradip Railway Company Limited, Angul Sukinda Railway Limited, Kutch Railway Company Limited, and Krishnapatnam Railway Company Limited, contributing to the development of critical rail connectivity projects. The selection followed a competitive PESB process drawing from senior executives across logistics, railways, infrastructure and government — a reminder of the depth of talent India’s public sector logistics ecosystem has built. The leadership transition comes at a time when CONCOR is navigating a challenging business environment. For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, the company reported a 12.38% year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit to ₹262.65 crore, while revenue from operations slipped 1.1% to ₹2,263.30 crore. Industry observers expect Panda's extensive operational experience in multimodal logistics and rail freight infrastructure to play a significant role in driving the company's next phase of growth and modernization.
India has launched its first permanent research institution focused exclusively on the economics of transportation, mobility and logistics, marking a new step in the government's efforts to strengthen data-driven infrastructure planning and freight policy. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) have signed an agreement to establish the NHAI Centre for Economics of Transportation, Mobility and Logistics. The facility will operate from NCAER and serve as an independent platform for research on transport networks, freight movement, mobility systems and logistics efficiency. The centre is expected to support policymakers with economic analysis related to highway development, freight logistics, multimodal transport integration and infrastructure investment. Research findings will be used to inform long-term planning and decision-making across the road transport sector. According to officials, the institution will examine issues including highway economics, tolling frameworks, asset monetisation, road safety, technology adoption and the broader economic impact of transport infrastructure projects. The research agenda will also cover logistics performance and connectivity challenges affecting supply chains. NHAI will provide long-term support for the initiative, while NCAER will lead research activities and engage with academic institutions, industry stakeholders and policy experts. An advisory structure comprising economists, transportation specialists and public policy professionals will guide the centre's work. Beyond academic research, the centre is expected to publish policy papers, industry reports and analytical studies aimed at government agencies and infrastructure planners. It will also host consultations and knowledge-sharing programmes focused on transportation and logistics policy. The launch comes as India continues to expand its national highway network and invest in logistics infrastructure to reduce freight costs, improve supply chain efficiency and support economic growth. Industry observers view the creation of a dedicated transport economics research institution as a move toward more evidence-based policymaking in one of the country's fastest-growing infrastructure sectors. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
