On June 20, 2025, the vibrant city of Noida played host to the 3rd Edition of the Uttar Pradesh Logistics and Supply Chain Summit, jointly organised by UPSIDA and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). This landmark summit brought together over 200 industry stakeholders, ranging from policymakers and infrastructure developers to logistics innovators and business leaders.
As Uttar Pradesh emerges as a frontrunner in India’s economic transformation journey, the summit served as a powerful platform to assess where we stand, where we need to go, and how collaboration across sectors can accelerate the state's—and indeed, the country's—logistics ambitions.
I had the privilege of attending this dynamic and forward-looking event along with Udyami Mitra Alok Srivastava, whose insights and understanding of industrial and entrepreneurial growth added immense value to my experience.
Key Takeaways: The Rise of Uttar Pradesh as India’s Logistics Nerve Centre
Uttar Pradesh is no longer the state that once struggled with basic infrastructure challenges. As highlighted by Shri Mayur Maheshwari, CEO of UPSIDA, the state has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. From a "land of potholes" to a land of access-controlled expressways—which now account for over 50% of the state's road network—the progress is undeniable.
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| Shri Mayur Maheshwari, CEO, UPSIDA at UP Logistics & Supply Chain Summit 2025 |
Some of the key highlights from the summit include:
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Per capita income in UP has doubled in the last 7–8 years.
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Noida now boasts infrastructure superior to its NCR counterparts, including Gurgaon and Faridabad.
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Major industry players like AB Mauri and Ashok Leyland are setting up large-scale manufacturing units in the state.
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UP is constructing the largest government-sponsored API and bulk drug manufacturing facility in Lalitpur, reducing India’s dependence on China in critical pharma sectors.
This infrastructure and policy-driven momentum signals the state’s firm intent to evolve into India’s logistics hub, bridging the gap between North India and global supply chains.
Strategic Vision: Logistics as a National Backbone
The session commenced with welcome remarks from Mr. Pranay S. Garg, MD of Advance Valves and former chairman of CII Western UP Zonal Council. Garg gave a compelling perspective on India’s long-term economic trajectory, citing that by FY 2048, India is expected to grow into a $26 trillion economy.
In his address, he projected that the country’s logistics demand will hit 15.6 trillion ton-km by 2050. To meet this demand, a robust public-private partnership (PPP) model will be vital. As Garg rightly pointed out, success will hinge on seamless coordination between government authorities, industrial players, and service providers.
Bringing Logistics to the Forefront
Mr. Jasjit Sethi, Chief Strategy Officer at Transport Corporation of India Ltd, provided a powerful analogy by describing logistics as “the invisible backbone of development.” He emphasized that in states like UP—where the opportunity is ripe and policy tailwinds are strong—it is time to bring that backbone into the spotlight.
Sethi encouraged increased investment from sectors such as automotive, agriculture, and infrastructure, all of which rely on efficient logistics to scale sustainably. His message was clear: logistics should not be seen as a support function but as a strategic enabler of economic transformation.
Supply Chains: From Transactional to Strategic
Mr. Mahesh Munjal, Chairman of CII Western UP Zonal Council and CMD of Majestic Auto Ltd, gave the concluding remarks and summarized the essence of the summit. He noted how supply chains and logistics have moved far beyond being mere transactional or compliance-oriented functions. Instead, they have become central pillars of competitiveness in today's globalised business environment.
He stressed the urgent need for logistics players to embrace digital transformation, AI-powered forecasting, and resilient planning mechanisms in a volatile global trade ecosystem.
Noida: Emerging as India’s Infrastructure Flagbearer
One of the recurring themes throughout the summit was the transformation of Noida into an infrastructure leader—not just within Uttar Pradesh, but across the entire National Capital Region (NCR).
As mentioned by Shri Mayur Maheshwari, Noida’s infrastructure now rivals or even surpasses its better-known NCR neighbors. This includes:
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World-class expressways
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Upcoming multimodal logistics parks
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Digital infrastructure for e-commerce and m-commerce
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Dedicated freight corridors linking UP to eastern and western ports
The summit revealed that Noida is now considered a preferred destination for new-age manufacturing and warehousing, especially in the context of India’s pivot towards becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse.
Policy Support: A Game Changer
Shri Shashank Chaudhary, Additional CEO of Invest UP, reinforced the sentiment by highlighting how UP has emerged as one of India’s most investor-friendly states. The introduction of a robust single-window clearance system has simplified and expedited business operations.
Chaudhary noted that the UP Government is actively encouraging private sector participation in developing industrial parks, under the Industrial Investment and Employment Promotion Policy 2022. Investors are even allowed to establish industrial parks on their own land—an unprecedented move that brings flexibility and entrepreneurial freedom.
He also emphasized the role of PM Gati Shakti, the Government of India's national master plan for multi-modal connectivity, in aligning UP’s development with national infrastructure priorities.
Vision 2030: Enabling a $1 Trillion Economic Backbone
A critical session during the summit focused on "UP’s Logistics Vision 2030: Building a $1 Trillion Economy Backbone." The discussion underscored the essential building blocks required to position Uttar Pradesh as the logistics and supply chain heartland of India:
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Strengthening last-mile connectivity and rural logistics
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Promoting logistics clusters around expressway corridors
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Incentivizing green and smart logistics systems
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Upskilling the workforce to manage AI-driven logistics
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Leveraging digital twins, blockchain, and IoT in supply chain visibility
The panel explored how UP could build a sustainable and tech-enabled logistics ecosystem that not only serves domestic needs but also competes globally.
A Personal Note: Witnessing the Future Firsthand
As someone passionate about the evolving industrial landscape of India, attending this summit was both inspiring and informative. The energy in the room, the quality of discussions, and the scale of ambition displayed were truly remarkable.
I was accompanied by Udyami Mitra Alok Srivastava, whose deep understanding of state industrial policy and grassroots entrepreneurship helped put many of these high-level ideas into practical perspective. His feedback on MSME challenges and on-ground logistics bottlenecks during sideline conversations added valuable depth to my own understanding.
We both came away with a shared belief: Uttar Pradesh is not just preparing for the future—it is building it.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The 3rd Edition of the Uttar Pradesh Logistics and Supply Chain Summit 2025 made it clear that the state is at a critical inflection point. The government’s commitment to infrastructure development, industry facilitation, and digital transformation offers a solid foundation for logistics-led growth.
As India sets its sights on becoming a global manufacturing and export giant, UP is positioning itself as the logistical linchpin of that ambition.
The collaborations initiated and the ideas exchanged at this summit must now be translated into actionable strategies, real investments, and sustained execution. If that happens, there’s no doubt that Uttar Pradesh will become not just a domestic logistics hub, but a global one.
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