Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Report – 2024

Why in the NEWS?

• Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal unveils ‘Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024’ Report. 

Key Points:

• This is the 6th edition of the LEADS Report.
• It was conceptualized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2018 on the lines of the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index.
• It evaluates logistics performance across four key pillars: logistics infrastructure, logistics services, operational and regulatory environment, and innovative sustainable logistics.
• It highlights initiatives taken by various States and Union Territories under the identified pillars and also focuses on State/UT-specific opportunities to enable informed decision making.

What is in this report?

• States to collaborate with private sector:
  • Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal emphasised on the need for States to collaborate with private sector to create better logistics action plans to attract investments.
• Need for new technologies:
  • He emphasised on the need to adopt new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Analytics to achieve greater success in the logistics sector.
• Inclusiveness and Skill Development in Logistics:
  • The Minister spoke about implementation of measures for green logistics, workforce inclusiveness and facilitation of Central Government projects.
  • He emphasised on skill development and the need to encourage greater participation of women.
• Leveraging PPP Model:
  • Shri Goyal urged States to leverage Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the logistics sector.
  • He emphasised on the need to consider multi-modal hubs for in-land container depots and suggested increasing transparency in making land available.
• Calls for adoption of LEAD framework:
  • Calls for adoption of LEAD framework to improve the logistics sector by focusing on longevity, efficiency, effectiveness, accessibility and accountability and digitization of processes.
• LEADs 2024 evaluates four key pillars:
  • Logistics infrastructure
  • Logistics services
  • Operational and regulatory environment
  • Sustainable logistics
• State-specific performance:
  • Coastal cluster: 
    • Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu.
  • Landlocked cluster: 
    • Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
  • North-eastern cluster: 
    • Assam, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Union Territories: 
    • Chandigarh, Delhi.

Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2024 Awards:

• In addition to the launch of the LEADS 2024 Report, the event also hosted the felicitation function for the Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS 2024) Awards. 
• Shri Goyal recognized and felicitated exceptional contributions to the logistics sector with prestigious awards across various categories, including core logistics services, MSMEs, startups, and institutions.
• LEAPS 2024 showcases leadership and innovation within the logistics sector, celebrating exceptional contributions through a transparent evaluation process backed by a comprehensive and rigorous assessment.
• Core Logistics:
  • Air Freight Service Provider: Kerry Indev Logistics Private Limited
  • Maritime Freight Service Provider: Visakha Container Terminal Pvt Ltd
  • Multimodal Transport Operators: Avana Logistek Limited
  • Rail Freight Service Provider: DP World Rail Logistics Private Limited
  • Road Freight Service Provider: CJ Darcl Logistics Ltd.
  • Warehouse Service Provider (Industrial and Consumables): APM Terminals India Private Limited
  • Warehouse Service Provider (Agriculture): Globus Warehousing and Trading Private Limited
• Start-up’s:
  • Logistics Operations: Myzek Logistics Pvt Ltd
  • Logistics Technology: Sarvodaya InfoTech Pvt Ltd
• MSMEs:
  • Logistics Service Provider: Ship waves Online Limited
• Institutions:
  • Education and Skill Development in the Logistics Sector: Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai
• Special Categories:
  • Logistics service delivery for e-commerce operations: Delhivery Limited
  • Multimodal logistics service provider: Pushpak Logistics Solutions LLP
• Shri Piyush Goyal launched the “Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti Course”, which is based on infrastructure planning and national development.
• Additionally, a report on Logistics Cost Framework was unveiled, which aims to assess logistics costs in India.

About LEADS

• LEADS was conceived on the lines of Logistics Performance Index (LPI) of World Bank in 2018. 
• While the LPI relies entirely on perception-based surveys, LEADS incorporates both perception as well as objectivity.
• Categories of State/UTs: They are categorised into four groups Coastal, Landlocked, Northeast and Union Territories.
• And further they are given tags of Achievers, Fast movers, and Aspirers on the basis of their performance. 
• Objective: 
  • Provides insights into improvement of logistics performance at State/UT level.