‘Address cost issues, foster PPPs, get foreign investments to make India cargo hub’

Sunil Kohli, Managing Director, Rahat Cargo said, “India is undoubtedly equipped with huge potential towards achieving its objective of being a global cargo hub since it does have an ideal geographical location coupled with a growing economy and is relentlessly heading to improve its infrastructural facilities with accelerated logistical advantages. The trade further needs to enhance its airport facilities with efficient operations apart from developing dedicated transshipment hubs. However, despite its potential, India faces several challenges in becoming a competitive transshipment hub, the primary obstacle being the high cost of port operations compared to regional competitors. Further, Indian ports often grapple with issues like inefficiencies in customs clearance, inadequate connectivity, and congestion, which undermine their preferences. For India to realize its ambition of becoming a transhipment hub, a multi-pronged strategy is essential. This includes addressing cost issues and fostering public-private partnerships to attract investments. The government too needs to introduce liberal policies by reducing avoidable governmental formalities with a view to attract the stakeholders in establishing India as a global transhipment hub.