India’s Logistics Transformation puts Fashion Supply Chains into high gear
NEW DELHI: India’s textile and apparel industry is entering a new era of speed, transparency and global competitiveness as sweeping upgrades across the country’s logistics ecosystem begin to take hold. With the government accelerating digital integration, expanding transport infrastructure and promoting end-to-end supply-chain visibility, the fashion sector is shifting its focus from cost efficiency to time-bound performance.
A new suite of national logistics reforms—led by the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan, Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) and the Logistics Data Bank (LDB)—is giving exporters unprecedented real-time visibility. As more than 30 logistics and customs systems are digitally interconnected, shipment tracking has become faster, documentation is smoother and clearances far more predictable.
End-to-end container traceability, once viewed as a premium service, has now emerged as a standard industry expectation—particularly crucial in the fast-fashion business where rapid decision-making hinges on reliable, real-time data.
India’s freight movement is receiving a major boost from the rollout of dedicated freight corridors, upgraded ports, multimodal logistics parks and significantly improved first- and last-mile connectivity. Reduced turnaround times at ports and more dependable inland movement are enabling textile exporters to align with the tight delivery schedules of global fashion houses.
This combination of logistics efficiency and predictable transport windows is helping India position itself as a competitive alternative in global sourcing strategies.
The timing of this logistics overhaul aligns with rising global expectations around sustainability, transparency and delivery speed. Historically, Indian apparel exporters struggled with long transit durations and fragmented tracking systems. Today, they are benefiting from a more responsive logistics backbone that enhances their reliability in the eyes of international buyers.
On the domestic front, India’s fast-growing e-commerce fashion sector—propelled by quick-commerce models and increasingly demanding consumers—is also gaining from better warehousing networks, integrated delivery systems and faster express logistics.
A recent industry assessment shows India’s logistics cost declining to 7.97% of GDP, a notable shift that suggests infrastructure and policy reforms are beginning to streamline inefficiencies that previously weighed down the apparel supply chain.
As multimodal connectivity strengthens and digital platforms continue to unify the supply chain, India’s fashion industry is poised to operate as a fast-response ecosystem—marked by shorter production cycles, transparent processes and improved lead times.
Industry experts believe India is on track to become one of the world’s most preferred sourcing destinations for apparel. At the same time, domestic brands stand to gain from a logistics network that is evolving to keep pace with global retail standards.