I read #greenlogistics somewhere yesterday which led me to some thinking.
I have been a part of the supply chain industry for close to 5 years now and have heard both the pain points of the end users – operational aspect as well as tech aspect.
As a matter of fact and as mentioned in various articles (Google it, later!) that India’s supply chain and logistics cost is 14% of the GDP where as globally it is ~8% which basically means that our spent should be reduced by 6% to come to the same page as the rest of the world.
The first thing required to bring down this cost is to reduce the Inefficiency in the system. And the inefficiency in the system can be reduced obviously through –
(a) Implementation of Technology (This point can have a detailed blog someday later)
(b) Improvement in Operational Processes
(c) Alternative Means of Logistics (EVs and Drones)
Though the cost in point (c) remains a subject of debate but if executed in an ideal manner, this can make us achieve our target to be Zero Emission country by 2070. We only have 48 years, now!
It will take time for us to develop the correct infrastructure but atleast the first step has been taken. To reach and spreadout out like European framework, for eg – charging station at almost every lane, we still have miles to go. The Jio behemoth has entered the EV fray to improve the infrastructure in the country through its Jio-BP Mobility arm while the Tatas have been at the forefront in EV manufacturing vehicles. The time is near when we will have EV commercial vehicles moving in smoothly. India has more than 2.8 million trucks that run over 100 billion kilometres per year. While they comprise only about 2% on-road vehicles, these trucks are responsible for about 40% of emissions and fuel consumption from road transport. Studies suggest that the share of electric trucks when it comes to overall freight trucks should be 79% by 2070 to reach net-zero emissions.
Companies like BluSmart has been working for Green Commute (taxis run by EVs only) and am sure it will beat every giants present today.
I was always attracted to drones during my Engineering days. Being a Robotics person by heart, drones always gave me an adrenaline rush. This year, on the 27th May, the Govt. of India inaugurated a 2-day initiative of Bharat Drone Mahotsav, where awareness and baby steps were taken to increase the usage of the UAVs in the healthcare and agricultural sector. We are just ~70 drone startups old which basically means we are just born. The Western countries are way ahead than us, as of now, but we have the potential and the capabilities to reach there. With the increasing demand of faster deliveries and traffic tolls on the high, time is near, when drones will be mandatory for delivering your parcels, in a faster and an efficient manner. Though it has its own limitations, but the engineering marvel is here to grow.
Things are shaping up, slowly but steadily. We are set to become the 5th largest economy of the world in 2024, over taking UK and France. We are the 3rd largest startup country.
We have just begun! Towards a better tomorrow, towards being a global leaders.