India's logistics cost estimated at 7.8-8.9% of GDP in 2021-22
WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS

India's logistics cost estimated at 7.8-8.9% of GDP in 2021-22

In the fiscal year 2021-22, India's logistics cost has been determined to be in the range of 7.8-8.9% of the gross domestic product (GDP), which is lower than previous private survey estimates exceeding 10%. The National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) conducted this calculation as assigned by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The World Bank has reviewed the methodology and recognised its appropriateness as a baseline, with the potential for future fine-tuning, according to government officials.

The logistics cost encompasses various components such as transportation, warehousing, storage, auxiliary support services, packaging, insurance, and other operational costs. DPIIT Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh introduced the report titled "Logistics Cost in India: Assessment and Long-Term Framework," emphasising its pivotal role in optimising logistics efficiencies and enhancing India's global competitiveness. Singh highlighted the ongoing investments in physical and digital infrastructure, creating an enabling environment for obtaining reliable data for data-driven planning and policymaking.

Poonam Munjal, a professor at NCAER, described the calculation as a quick estimate and expressed the intention to refine the numbers further using more granular data. The government, currently relying on certain estimates, suggests that India's logistics cost is at 13-14% of GDP. The report aims to establish a credible framework for logistics cost estimates, capturing detailed data on an origin-destination (O-D) pair-wise, commodity-wise, and geography-wise basis.

DPIIT Special Secretary Sumita Dawra emphasised the serious implications of logistics cost on the country's manufacturing sector, export competitiveness, and global positioning. The government's effort is to move away from past estimates lacking a conclusive and scientific calculation framework and focus on a more data-driven approach for effective policymaking.

In the fiscal year 2021-22, India's logistics cost has been determined to be in the range of 7.8-8.9% of the gross domestic product (GDP), which is lower than previous private survey estimates exceeding 10%. The National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) conducted this calculation as assigned by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The World Bank has reviewed the methodology and recognised its appropriateness as a baseline, with the potential for future fine-tuning, according to government officials. The logistics cost encompasses various components such as transportation, warehousing, storage, auxiliary support services, packaging, insurance, and other operational costs. DPIIT Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh introduced the report titled Logistics Cost in India: Assessment and Long-Term Framework, emphasising its pivotal role in optimising logistics efficiencies and enhancing India's global competitiveness. Singh highlighted the ongoing investments in physical and digital infrastructure, creating an enabling environment for obtaining reliable data for data-driven planning and policymaking. Poonam Munjal, a professor at NCAER, described the calculation as a quick estimate and expressed the intention to refine the numbers further using more granular data. The government, currently relying on certain estimates, suggests that India's logistics cost is at 13-14% of GDP. The report aims to establish a credible framework for logistics cost estimates, capturing detailed data on an origin-destination (O-D) pair-wise, commodity-wise, and geography-wise basis. DPIIT Special Secretary Sumita Dawra emphasised the serious implications of logistics cost on the country's manufacturing sector, export competitiveness, and global positioning. The government's effort is to move away from past estimates lacking a conclusive and scientific calculation framework and focus on a more data-driven approach for effective policymaking.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Spent Rs 1.5 Tn on Smart Cities in Past 10 Years

The Indian government launched the Smart Cities Mission on June 15, 2015, with the goal of transforming urban infrastructure across the country. As of April 11, 2025, ten years since its inception, over Rs 1.5 trillion has been spent on 7,504 completed projects, representing 94 per cent of the total planned projects valued at more than Rs 1.64 trillion. An additional Rs 131.42 billion worth of projects are currently under implementation. According to data from SBI Research, 92 per cent of the funds were utilised across 21 major states, with Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra together ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Hyundai’s EcoGram Converts Gurugram’s Waste to Clean Energy

Hyundai’s EcoGram, a biogas plant and material recovery facility located in Gurugram, Haryana, has been established to support circular economy initiatives. The facility collects both wet and dry waste from 20 bulk waste generators, including residential welfare associations (RWAs), corporate offices, and commercial complexes, with assistance from the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG). At the facility, the collected waste undergoes processing—wet waste is converted into biogas, which is then used to generate electricity, while dry waste is sorted for recycling. Since its inception,..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Metro Line 8 DPR Nears Completion; CIDCO to Float Rs 200 Bn Tenders

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) is nearing completion of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Metro Line 8, commonly known as the Gold Line. This strategic 34.9-kilometre corridor is set to link Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). Estimated to cost around Rs 200 billion, the project is being developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Once completed, Metro Line 8 will become Mumbai's second such corridor after Metro Line 1. CIDCO plans to float tenders once ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?