India’s cold chain sector is expected to reach the INR 5 lakh crore mark by 2030 or 2032, as stated by a senior official from the Commerce and Industry Ministry.
At the FICCI-hosted Cold Chain and Logistics Summit, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Surendra Ahirwar pointed out that the cold chain industry’s current revenue is about INR 2 lakh crore, and it is growing at a rate of more than 10 percent.
Ahirwar underscored the government’s initiatives aimed at fostering an environment conducive to innovation and efficiency within the cold chain sector.
He spoke about the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan initiative, which accelerates infrastructure development for the logistics sector, including temperature-controlled warehouses. Additionally, he mentioned the National Logistics Policy launched in 2022, which comprehensively addresses various aspects of the logistics sector, including the cold chain.
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He stressed the significance of the industry’s diverse efforts, spanning innovations, infrastructure expansion, and collaborations between industry and academia. He exemplified advancements such as temperature-controlled warehousing, ice battery technology, and streamlined packaging solutions as noteworthy progressions within the sector.
Addressing the gathering, Asheesh Fotedar, Chief Operating Officer of the National Centre for Cold-Chain Development (NCCD) under the Ministry of Agriculture, underscored NCCD’s endeavors to enhance the nation’s cold chain infrastructure, prioritizing sustainability, efficiency, and innovation.
He mentioned that NCCD is in the process of updating technical standards and minimum guidelines for the integration of cold-chain components in the sector. These updated guidelines will function as a blueprint for both central and state government entities establishing cold chain facilities across the country. Additionally, NCCD is actively collaborating with stakeholders to pinpoint challenges encountered by reefer truck owners while concurrently formulating policy recommendations to address these issues for submission to the ministry.
Digitization and Sustainability Initiatives
Fotedar also mentioned that NCCD is in the process of developing a mobile application to digitize data associated with cold chain components.
This initiative is anticipated to enhance capacity utilization, decrease fuel expenses, and mitigate the carbon footprint. Additionally, the application will capture pertinent logistics data to facilitate policymaking and analytics.
Amit Kumar, Co-Chairman of the FICCI Committee on Logistics, emphasized the significance of constructing sustainable infrastructure and embracing intelligent technologies to maximize energy efficiency and minimize environmental consequences.
The FICCI-Grant Thornton Bharat Report, “Cold Chain Dynamics: Mapping India’s Logistics Transformation,” was formally launched at the occasion.
The knowledge report underscores India’s vibrant food processing industry, underscoring the pivotal role of the cold chain sector amidst challenges like infrastructure disparities and elevated expenses.
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