Logistics development in J&K: Business leaders spell priorities at PHDCCI event

30 July 2021

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Srinagar, July 30: Some of the top business leaders and analysts of J&K today deliberated upon the issues and challenges faced by the logistics sector in J&K at a webinar on “Integrated Development of Logistics in J&K” organized by PHD Chamber Of Commerce & Industry J&K.

The virtual event was attended by Chief Guest Mr Ranjan Prakash Thakur (IRTS), Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce J&K Government, Pradeep Multani, Sr. Vice President, PHDCCI, Rahul Sahai Chair PHDCCI-Jammu, Vipin Vohra Co- Chairman PHDCCI Logistics Committee & Chairman, Continental Carriers, Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya, Mentor PHDCCI Kashmir, Baldev Singh Raina Chair PHDCCI-Kashmir, Amarjit Kukreja, Managing Director Attar Singh & Sons, Sanjay Aggarwal, Co-Chair, PHDCCI Jammu, Kuldeep Gupta , Co-Chair PHDCCI Jammu, Rakesh Wazir, Mentor PHDCCI Jammu, Arun Gupta , President, Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Jammu, Neeraj Anand , National Vice President, CAIT, Manish Khandelwal, CEO BMRV Engineering Consultants, Vikram Mahajan, MD Astro India Automobile Pvt Ltd, Samar Dev Singh Charak, Secretary of Dogra Educational Trust

The following press statement has been issued by the organizers at the conclusion of the event:

Ranjan Prakash Thakur (IRTS), Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce J&K Government in his address as Chief Guest said, that a ‘lot of work is happening in the logistic infrastructure development of J&K with major focus on reforms with approval timelines under Best Single Window Clearance System of Country coming up in J&K and two Inland Container Depot and Dry Port each in Jammu and Srinagar.’

Mr Ranjan said that the entire logistic ecosystem of J&K is under major transformation with critical all weather train and road connectivity with major boost to development of infrastructure in logistic sector. Talking about the challenges and issues faced by warehousing and logistic hub Transport Nagar Jammu he informed that the department is well aware of it and will visit the area for future possibility for development of Area as Logistic Hub of J&K. Mr Thakur further added that legal lacunas for acquiring land for industrial and logistic development and change of land use are flagged at higher level and we are addressing the issues on priority for all procedural issues. The audience was apprised by Hon’ble Principal Secretary that there are investments coming from Japanese Companies in Jammu region. He further assured the PHDCCI that he is working at forefront with special assignments with focus on larger Issues.

Mr Rahul Sahai Chair PHDCCI Jammu while moderating the session welcomed the dignitaries and he mentioned that there is a need to get all the regulators and stakeholders together for ensuring seamless working and development of the logistics sector. He also mentioned that there is a need for better Roads and illumination systems; improvement of sanitation and overall improvement and development of Transport nagar Jammu.

Mr Sahai proposed that Transport Nagar Jammu should be developed as Model Logistics Hub of J&K with existing automotive spare and repair market and transport companies, which are presently operating in Transport Nagar. Mr Sahai highlighted the issues of logistic sector including the issues regarding title of land bank, permissions to those lands that are not near army ammunition depot in Jammu, agriculture land usage and many operational issues viz-a-viz the logistics sector is concerned. Mr Sahai also stressed upon resolution of land title Gair Mumkin khads & passi and suggested that a committee should be constituted at the earliest to solve land use issues , he also emphasised for building permissions to lands near new ring roads for growth Development of the economy of J&K , Sahai also raised issue of land locked near Army walls and suggested building permissions be granted to lands which are not adjoining ammunition depots , he lauded that either land is locked in gair mumkin khad , passi , agriculture land or near army walls , these to be resolved at the earliest . He stressed upon single window clearance for Logistics applications too.

Baldev Singh Raina, Chair PHDCCI Kashmir, and Mushtaq Ahamd Chaya Mentor PHDCCI Kashmir earlier, welcoming the speakers and participants, said that covid-19 pandemic has impacted all businesses. Mr Raina mentioned that J&K is fast changing and very vibrant in terms of development of industry under landmark decisions and support by the administration at all fronts, Mr Chaya said that the Government has announced Industrial Scheme that is expected to speed up the revival of the all sectors.

Pradeep Multani, Sr Vice President, PHDCCI in his presidential address deliberated about the importance of the logistics sector for J&K and praised the Hon`ble Principal secretary for the various initiatives taken by UT government for development of Logistic Sector of J&K, Mr. Multani further added that It is believed that the improved logistics will up ways of doing business and be a game changer in the creation of Jobs in Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Multani said that the concerted effort in collaboration with UT Government, Stakeholders and Investors as well needs to be initiated for simplifying the regulatory processes in both domestic and EXIM logistics. He further suggested the government that In order to establish linkages with the Government agencies, industry and academia, for developing a detailed action plan, the Logistic Committee of J&K government should enter into formal partnership with PHDCCI and an MoU needs to be signed under the Chairmanship of Principle Secretary to undertake mutually agreed focused studies on logistics and to promote Government Policies and Investments on logistics under New Industrial Development Scheme and that proposal was agreed by Principal Secretary during the webinar.

Vipin Vohra, Co-Chair Logistics Committee, PHDCCI mentioned that logistics play an important role for development of a region and he further stated that development of cold storage, ware houses, pack houses, Sort houses and Air freight stations and also reduction in transhipment cost are essential to develop the logistic sector of J&K and he further mentioned that it should be ensured that there is two way traffic to make the cost competitive irrespective of mode of logistic through air, train, or road and for that we need to identify the items which are to be routed through two way traffic inside and outside of J&K.

Arun Gupta President Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jammu and Neeraj Anand National Vice President CAIT talked about sufferings of people of Transport Nagar and requested Ranjan Prakash Thakur to Visit the area. Both appreciated PHDCCI for this effort .

Rakesh Wazir, Mentor PHDCCI Jammu praised the Principal Secretary for large scale reforms in Industrial Sector and thanks for unending support for tourism industry and ease in doing business. Mr Sanajy Aggarwal, Co-Chair PHDCCI Jammu appreciated the Government to address the concerns related to logistics infrastructure and process barriers in time bound manner.

Presenting the formal Vote of Thanks, Kuldeep Gupta Co-Chair PHDCCI Jammu termed the discussions as very enlightening and fruitful and it was decided and agreed that a formal MoU will be signed by PHDCCI and Industries Department and Logistic Committee of J&K for Logistic development of J&K.

The session was moderated by Naveen Seth, Assistant, Secretary General, PHDCCI and was attended by more than 200 industry stalwarts across the J&K and all panelist set forth various suggestions for overall development of logistic and Industrial Sector of J&K. PHDCCI’s session was sponsored by Attar Singh & Sons.