Maharashtra Government has stamped its seal of approval on the Logistics Policy that aims to increase State's share in national gross domestic product (GDP) to 20 per cent from current 15.1 per cent by year 2028 when India will be a $ 5 trillion economy. By 2028, the State’s economy will achieve a GDP target of $ 1 trillion and, for achieving the same, transport and logistics role is going to be quite crucial. However, what impairs the same is higher logistics cost and thus State envisages to act as a catalyst for boosting private investment in the sector by granting extra concession and aid. A comprehensive policy was evolved, and just last month, the Cabinet accepted the proposal of Industries Department for Logistics Policy.

 

As of now, Maharashtra is second in terms of export of goods among all the States of the country. During year 2022-23 the State received Rs 1,18,422 crore of FDI which was 29 per cent of the investment that came to the country. The policy document listed that Maharashtra has 17,757 km of national highway, 11,631 km of railway tracks, 548 goods sheds. Further, the State also has two big and 48 small ports, 53 container depots, 8 private freight terminals and 11 air cargo terminals. So, Maharashtra as such has ready infrastructure, which it needs to leverage to achieve the target. The reason for State's intervention is that higher cost of freight is one of its worries. For exports to be competitive, tight control on expenses is a must. The policy has listed measures to be taken by various Government departments, including additional FSI, relaxation in norms as to sanctions for setting up mega truck terminals as part of ease of doing business.

 

The Government envisages setting-up truck terminals on 10,000 acre with 25 nodes at district level (each having minimum 100 acre spread), 5 regional hub (300 acre), 5 State Hub (500 acre), one national mega hub (1,000 acre) and 1 international logistic mega hub (2000 acre). The State has also ayed grant of aid of Rs 7,000 crore for creation of infrastructure facilities at logistic nods and logistic hub and another Rs. 635 crore to provide upfront capital support for small, medium, Mega, Ultra mega Integrated Truck Terminals, and Rs 675 crore for aid and setting up technical infra. The cabinet also approved an outlay of Rs. 8310 crores during the policy period. As a start, the Government also gave nod for Rs. 1400 crore and Rs. 262 crore for compulsory utilisaton during the year 2024-25. In case any SME is ready to invest Rs. 50 crore, excluding land cost, for setting up Logistic Park then said entity will not have to seek any permission from any agency. Similarly MIDC is entrusted task of land acquisition for mega logistic parks in the State.