Logistics in India is a major part of the GDP growth and accounts for at least 5% of it. As many as 2.2 crore people are employed by it and it also handles the goods of around 4.6 billion tonnes, thereby estimating the cost of the sector to the tune of Rs. 9.5 trillion. However, logistics cost around 14% share of gross domestic product (GDP) to India which is highest in comparison to the other developed countries like the U.S and Germany which is around 8% and 9%. 

Reason behind Soaring Logistics Cost:

• Transportation Issues

• Tax Structure and Warehousing Problems

• Port Sector Issues, Driver Shortage & Retention

• Government Regulations, Technological and Skill Deterrents and Custom Service etc.

• Poor road infrastructure, multiple checkpoints, and congestion

• Delay in cargo evacuation unloaded at berths

• Lack of quality workforce in this sector

• Theft and material security etc.

Hence, in order to reduce the logistics cost in India and enhance the efficiency of the sector, the government asked for inputs from NITI Aayog in order to create and develop a model which addresses these challenges.

ULIP(Unified Logistics Interface Platform), as a model was invented and induced in 2019 as a solution by the PM Modi government, which focuses upon transparency and providing real time information to the stakeholders. It's a model based upon  “technology commons initiative”, wherein a single window platform will provide real-time monitoring of cargo movement and also ensure the confidentiality of data with end-to-end encryption.

Key Highlights of the ULIP Platform:

• Reduction in the heavy and bulky documentation process

• Enhancing and Improving the International Competitiveness

• Identification of cheaper logistics mode

• Easy monitoring of the movement of the Cargo ships and other mode of transport

• Digitization of Document Reference Number for all the documentation Processes at one platform.

The ULIP domain in collaboration with NLP (National Logistics Portal) is in the process of providing a holistic logistic environment to the new startups and private organizations and enabling them to be benefitted from the multimodal logistics system.

Components of ULIP:

There are three components to ULIP:

• Unification with the pre-existing data sources of Ministries: The handshake of all the ministries to help in the integration of the data and provide for the smooth running of the integral processes of logistics i.e. authorization, compliance and clearance.

• Exchanging the data with the private players: To make the private players or logistics service providers and industries use the data available with the ULIP and also sharing their data with ULIP.

• One point reference chain of documents in the supply chain: A single digitized number to be used in all the documentation processes at a uniform platform.

The team of Lawyered, having consideration for the workforce behind the logistics industry, are the pioneers of LotS - Lawyer on the Spot initiative. This initiative has been launched in collaboration with AITWA - All India Transporters Welfare Association. Via this initiative we aim to resolve the issues that the workforce of the logistics industry faces.