Roopak Goswami
Shillong, Jan 5: Meghalaya has risen from the “aspirer” to the”fast mover” category in the logistics sector, as revealed in the”Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024″ report released by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, on January 3.
Efficient logistics underpins India’s fast-growing economy, enabling seamless movement of goods across states and beyond borders, creating opportunities for millions. The LEADS initiative, spearheaded by the Government of India, evaluates the performance of the logistics ecosystem across States and Union Territories (UTs).
In the 2024 rankings, Meghalayajoined Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura in the fast movers” group, while Assam and Arunachal Pradesh achieved the “achievers” category. Manipur remain in the “aspirer” category. This marks significant progress for Meghalaya, which was categorized as an “aspirer” in 2023.
The state’s leap in logistics is bolstered by initiatives such as the development of a multimodal logistics park at Resu A’king in Resubelpara. Methina Farida Marak, the Nokma (traditional village head), had 108 acres of land recently for the project, which will be managed by the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation Limited (MIDC).
The park aims to enhance the state’s logistics capabilities and economic growth.“This is a great initiative from Nokma. We are grateful for her contribution, which will drive development in the village and significantly benefit Meghalaya,” said MIDC Chairman James P.K.Sangma.
RITES Ltd, a prime transport infrastructure consultancy and engineering firm, has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (MIDC) to develop multi-modal logistics projects in Meghalaya.
As part of the MoU, RITES will be offering its expertise as a Project Management Consultant and
shall undertake a comprehensive range of services, including the construction of pavements suitable for the operation of container handling equipment, including Reach-Stackers, construction of warehouses, administrative buildings, fencing, electrification, air conditioning, firefighting, water supply & sewerage works, railway siding, roads, drainage, and more.
The state is working towards a logistics hub which has been explained in its 2028 vision plan. “We look towards 2028 and have set our sights on an ambitious goal: Mission 10. This mission will propel Meghalaya to a USD 10 billion economy, creating 5 lakh new job opportunities. Most importantly, Mission 10 brings 10 opportunities and 10 guarantees to our people, ensuring their needs are met and their dreams nurtured. These guarantees ensure superlative infrastructure built for the needs of our 3.8 million people. They promise a Meghalaya transformed into a logistics hub connecting Northeast India to the world” the vision plan says.
Union Minister Piyush GGoyal highlighted the strategic importance of logistics in achieving India’s 5 trillion economy goals and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He called for state and private-sector collaboration to develop regional and city-level logistics plans, promote green logistics, and adopt cutting-edge technologies such as AI, machine learning, and data analytics.
The LEAD framework—Longevity, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Accessibility, Accountability, and Digitalisation—was proposed as a cornerstone for transforming India’s logistics landscape, paving the way for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
