BS EDIT: Reimagining Urban Freight: Towards Cleaner & Efficient Cities

By Business StandardPublished On Nov 28, 2024

Challenge of Urban Freight

Freight movement causes congestion and pollution; ecommerce adds to last-mile traffic. DPIIT’s City Logistics Plans target Bengaluru and Delhi first

Why Urban Freight Matters

Logistics costs are 7.8–8.9% of GDP; last-mile accounts for 50% in ecommerce. Urban freight adds 10% CO₂ and major NOx/PM pollution

Global Best Practices to Learn From

Optimise routes, use multi-use lanes, adopt digital tools, and innovate packaging to reduce trips, lower costs, and boost freight efficiency

Key Solutions for India’s Logistics Goals

Shift freight to rail to save 10Gt CO₂ by 2050; use larger vehicles, cleaner fuels, and efficient trucks to reduce emissions and optimise delivery

Challenges to Implementing CLPs

Indian cities lack road space, face high traffic density, and impose restrictions on time, vehicle size, and weight, complicating freight efficiency

The Path Forward

CLPs need state support and fiscal backing for success, ensuring lower costs, reduced emissions, and better quality of life through systematic execution