TN Government launches committee to promote green logistics in Chennai

This committee is chaired by I Jayakumar, the special officer of the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA).

As part of this initiative, the state is developing city logistics plans for Chennai and Coimbatore. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation is preparing the plan for Coimbatore, while CUMTA is responsible for Chennai’s plan. Key members of the committee include the Chennai Corporation Commissioner, the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, and the Managing Director of Chennai Metro Rail.

A CUMTA official stated that the committee aims to develop a comprehensive logistics plan for the Chennai metropolitan area. This plan will assess the city’s current freight performance, define its present and future needs, identify areas for quick reforms, and outline a long-term action plan. It will also consider futuristic technologies, such as ‘flying taxis’ for cargo delivery, though the infrastructure for drones will take time to develop.

The committee has already held a workshop and a stakeholder conference with the Madras Chamber of Commerce. It plans to collaborate with academic institutions, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, trade associations, resident welfare associations, and non-governmental organizations to host consultations. These consultations will help evaluate city-specific needs and formulate actionable plans.

According to the government order, the logistics coordination panel will meet quarterly and as needed, as determined by the chairperson. Additionally, the government has released a five-year logistics policy aimed at developing the sector to support economic growth. This policy includes an integrated logistics plan for the next decade, aligning with emerging requirements and industry developments. A key objective of the policy is to reduce the environmental impact of the logistics sector by promoting a shift from road transport to eco-friendly rail and coastal shipping.