+
ADB-Funded SMILE Program to Enhance India's Logistics Efficiency
WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS

ADB-Funded SMILE Program to Enhance India's Logistics Efficiency

The Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) Program aims to improve India's logistics infrastructure, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. It supports the National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan by strengthening multimodal logistics, standardizing warehousing, and promoting digitalisation in trade logistics. 

The program focuses on: 

  • Developing multimodal logistics infrastructure at national, state, and city levels. 
  • Standardizing warehousing and logistics assets to enhance supply chains and attract private investment. 
  • Improving external trade logistics efficiency to boost India's global competitiveness. 
  • Adopting smart systems for low-emission, sustainable logistics. 

By addressing policy, infrastructure, and digital interventions, SMILE aims to improve India’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index while creating job opportunities. It also includes gender inclusion initiatives, such as gender audits of land ports under the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (2020-23) to ensure integrated check posts meet gender-responsive standards. 

Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat, the program strengthens domestic manufacturing, enhances global trade integration, and fosters private investment and digital transformation—contributing to India's long-term economic resilience and positioning the country as a global manufacturing and supply chain hub. 

This information was shared by Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. 

(PIB)                                                                                                                                    

          

The Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) Program aims to improve India's logistics infrastructure, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. It supports the National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan by strengthening multimodal logistics, standardizing warehousing, and promoting digitalisation in trade logistics. The program focuses on: Developing multimodal logistics infrastructure at national, state, and city levels. Standardizing warehousing and logistics assets to enhance supply chains and attract private investment. Improving external trade logistics efficiency to boost India's global competitiveness. Adopting smart systems for low-emission, sustainable logistics. By addressing policy, infrastructure, and digital interventions, SMILE aims to improve India’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index while creating job opportunities. It also includes gender inclusion initiatives, such as gender audits of land ports under the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (2020-23) to ensure integrated check posts meet gender-responsive standards. Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat, the program strengthens domestic manufacturing, enhances global trade integration, and fosters private investment and digital transformation—contributing to India's long-term economic resilience and positioning the country as a global manufacturing and supply chain hub. This information was shared by Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. (PIB)                                                                                                                                              

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Real Estate

Anshul Singhal launches Vantrock with Rs 42 billion development plan

Real estate professional Anshul Singhal has launched Vantrock Real Assets Private Limited (VRAPL), a Mumbai-headquartered platform focused initially on warehousing, industrial and logistics parks. The company plans to develop approximately 11.5 million sq ft of assets, with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of Rs 42 billion (approximately USD 434 million) on completion.The first phase will cover around 3 million sq ft across the National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru and Pune, with an estimated development value of Rs 11 billion (approximately USD 113 million). Construction is sched..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Afcons wins CII award for biodiversity management

Afcons Infrastructure has received the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Award for Environmental Best Practices 2026 in the Biodiversity Management category for its work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project’s C-2 package.The award was presented at a ceremony in Chennai on 9 October 2026. It was received by Mihir Mishra, Vice-President, CPE, and Sumon Paul, Assistant General Manager, HSE, along with the Afcons team.The project adopted several resource recovery and waste management practices. These included recycling concrete washout waste to recover sand, aggregates a..

Next Story
Technology

Indian businesses lead globally in planned AI investment, says Autodesk

Indian organisations are moving towards deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies and sustainability into business operations, according to Autodesk’s 2026 State of Design & Make report. The fourth edition of the annual study highlights growing AI adoption, measurable outcomes from digital transformation and the role of sustainability in long-term business growth.The report found that 64 per cent of Indian organisations are approaching or have achieved their current AI goals. While 88 per cent believe AI will enhance their industry, up from 78 per cent in 2..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code