DPIIT ADB Partner on Warehouse and Cold Chain Rating Benchmark

DPIIT and ADB are developing grading and rating standards for India's warehouses and cold-chain facilities to strengthen logistics infrastructure, improve supply-chain resilience, and support access to credit and incentives.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is working with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to develop a grading and rating standards benchmark for warehouses and cold-chain facilities across India. The initiative is aimed at improving logistics infrastructure, strengthening supply chains, and supporting greater access to incentives and institutional credit for certified facilities.

Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, shared the development while addressing the third Logistics, Warehousing and Cold Chain Summit organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). He said the government is also considering the regulatory framework for implementing the proposed rating system.

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Rating Framework for Warehousing and Cold Chains: According to Kumar, the government is examining whether the ratings should be overseen by a formal government body or managed through an industry-led self-regulatory mechanism. Facilities receiving ratings could potentially benefit from improved access to government incentives and institutional credit.

The grading framework follows two sets of warehouse standards and guidelines recently issued by DPIIT. The department is also working with state governments to incorporate warehouses and cold-chain facilities into state logistics policies.

DPIIT is further supporting the preparation of city logistics plans covering warehouses, dark stores, and cold-chain facilities located within and around cities. The plans are intended to support more coordinated logistics infrastructure and improve supply chain planning.

Guidelines for Multimodal Logistics Parks: The logistics division of DPIIT is also preparing guidelines for multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs). Warehouses and cold-chain facilities account for nearly 70 per cent of the area in MMLPs, highlighting their role in integrated logistics infrastructure.

The proposed MMLP guidelines are expected to support value-added activities such as labelling, packaging, redistribution, and digitalisation. These measures are intended to improve the efficiency and integration of logistics operations across different modes of transport.

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Kumar also highlighted the importance of robust and integrated warehouses and cold chains in strengthening supply-chain resilience, particularly amid disruptions and natural disasters. He called for greater innovation in these areas to support a more resilient logistics ecosystem.

The development of common grading and rating standards is expected to provide a structured framework for assessing warehousing and cold-chain facilities while supporting India's broader efforts to modernise its logistics sector.