Logistics Issues to be Given Top Priority: CII

KOCHI:
If Kochi has to become a Smart city in its real sense, it is high time that effective steps are taken to tackle the logistics issues facing the city on top priority according to speakers on the inaugural day of the two day Logistics Conclave organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Kerala, here.
Inaugurating the Conclave, the Kerala Minister for Transport, A K Saseendran stressed the importance of having state of the art logistics hubs in Kerala. Assuring all the support for the sustainable growth of this vital industry, the minister urged CII to submit concrete proposals after conducting a scientific study of issues like traffic congestion, legal and other hurdles that stand in the way of the development of logistics and how to make logistics cost effective.
The Minister touched upon the challenges faced by the logistic sector in Kerala adding that in a fast developing port city like Kochi, container trucks are adding to the congestion since there are no scientifically planned logistics systems in place. However, their movement cannot be stopped either as it would affect the consumers. The Minister also pointed out that Kerala does not have organizations similar to the GoI  as Container corporation of India, Food corporation of India etc which focus on logistics in the State.
“Logistics sector has a lot of growth potential in Kerala. However, due to various reasons, no serious efforts are being made to tap this potential”, N A Mohammed Kutty, Chairman, CII ‘s Panel on Logistics and managing director, Falcon Infrastructure Ltd, said in his presidential address
India’s logistic sector has the potential to touch a turnover of about US$16o billion by 2020, he said adding that while the other service sectors such as tourism, health care, education, IT and ITES, shipping etc. have specific ministries and departments, the logistics sector is left uncared for, despite its critical importance to the growth of other sectors and the overall economy.
K Mohandas, former secretary, ministry of transport, Government of India, in his address said that quality infrastructrure, intelligent systems, green technologies, efficient adminstration, rational rail road and shipping tariff strutcure are vital for the growth of the logistics industry.
Dr P Alli Rani, Director, Finance of the Container Corporation  of India said that one basic problem with the logistics sector was that it is too costly and much scattered. She said the need of the hour is to see that we have bigger and better logistics services as well as bundle of services that cater to every need of manufacturers and traders.
V P Nandakumar, chairman of CII, Kerala and managing director, Manappuram Finance pvt Ltd welcomed the gathering. Those who spoke on the occasion included G Krishnakumar, Vice Chairman, CII Kerala and managing director, Rubfila International Pvt ltd. Experts from different parts of the state and outside are partcipating in the conclave which  will conclude tomorrow. Mr Ramachandran Kadannappally Hon’ble Minister of Ports, Museum, Archaeology & Archives, Government of Kerala would address at the valedictory session tomorrow. The exhibition has leading logistics players exhibiting their products and all are invited to visit the exhibition. Directorate of Ports, State Bank of Travancore, Eicher, Ashok Leyland, and Apollo Tyres are some of the major exhibitors.