Union Minister Released LEADS 2024 Report: A Boost for India’s Logistics Sector

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry has unveiled the Logistics Ease Across Different States LEADS 2024 Report, highlighting India’s progress in logistics and its roadmap for the future.

Key Highlights of LEADS 2024 Report

1. Adopting Advanced Technologies
   • The Minister urged the adoption of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Data Analytics to improve efficiency and global competitiveness.
   • States were encouraged to build public-private partnerships (PPPs) and set up multi-modal hubs for in-land container depots using transparent land bidding.
2. Focus on LEAD Framework
   • The logistics sector was encouraged to adopt the LEAD framework:
     • Longevity
     • Efficiency and Effectiveness
     • Accessibility and Accountability
     • Digitalisation
   • This approach aims to transform logistics and contribute to a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.

What is the LEADS Report?

The LEADS index evaluates logistics performance at the state/UT level, focusing on improving trade, reducing costs, and boosting economic growth.

• 6th Edition: The LEADS Report was first released in 2018 and has evolved to include new parameters.
• Four Pillars of Evaluation:
  1. Logistics Infrastructure
  2. Logistics Services
  3. Operating and Regulatory Environment
  4. Sustainable Logistics (New addition in 2024)

Unlike the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI), which is based on perception surveys, LEADS combines facts and perceptions, making it more accurate.

India’s Global Ranking
According to the World Bank’s LPI 2023, India ranks 38th among 139 countries.

Performance Highlights of LEADS 2024 Report

• Coastal States:
  • Achievers: Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu
  • Fast Movers: Andhra Pradesh, Goa
  • Aspirers: Kerala, West Bengal
• Landlocked States:
  • Achievers: Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
  • Fast Movers: Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan
  • Aspirers: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand
• North-Eastern States:
  • Achievers: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh
  • Fast Movers: Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura
  • Aspirers: Manipur
• Union Territories:
  • Achievers: Chandigarh, Delhi
  • Fast Movers: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Puducherry
  • Aspirers: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh

Government Initiatives to Strengthen Logistics

1. Sagarmala Project (2015): Focuses on port infrastructure to reduce logistics costs for exports and domestic trade.
2. Bharatmala Project (2017): Aims to enhance road connectivity across the country.
3. National Logistics Policy (2022): Tackles inefficiencies and high costs in the logistics sector with a unified framework.
4. Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs): High-capacity railway corridors exclusively for goods transportation.
5. PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (2021): Promotes integrated multi-modal infrastructure planning among various ministries.

Conclusion

The LEADS 2024 report showcases India’s commitment to building a modern, efficient, and sustainable logistics sector, essential for achieving long-term economic growth and becoming a global trade hub.