The report notes that these markets have 233 mn sq ft
of unutilized land, enough to meet future demand. While rents have risen,
vacancy rates stood at 11.5%, keeping rental growth in check. Grade A space accounted for 62% of
transactions, with the manufacturing sector driving 39% of demand.
Mumbai led the market with 10.3 mn sq ft transacted in
2024, with third-party logistics (3PL) dominating 43% of the space. The
National Capital Region (NCR) followed with 16% of total transactions, while
cities like Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Chennai saw 25-29% YoY growth.
Manufacturing was the key driver in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad , while
Kolkata saw significant activity from 3PL and e-commerce companies.
The manufacturing
sector continued its momentum, accounting for 39% of total transactions with an
18% YoY growth. Knight Frank India CMD Shishir
Baijal emphasized the strong occupier demand, driven by manufacturing expansion
and rising rents, signaling India’s warehousing sector as a resilient and
high-growth asset. The sector also saw a
surge in private equity investments, reaching USD 1,877 million in 2024, up
136% from the previous year, reflecting growing institutional interest
driven by the rise of e-commerce, manufacturing, and supply chain needs.