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ULIP’s Role in Transforming India’s Logistics and Vidarbha’s Supply Chain

ULIP’s Role in Transforming India’s Logistics and Vidarbha’s Supply Chain
ULIP’s Role in Transforming India’s Logistics and Vidarbha’s Supply Chain

India’s logistics sector is undergoing a profound change, driven by a platform that connects diverse systems and streamlines the movement of goods.


The Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), launched as part of the National Logistics Policy, is redefining efficiency in transport and logistics, with significant implications for regions like Vidarbha, a hub of industrial and agricultural activity.


ULIP’s Architecture and National Achievement


The Unified Logistics Interface Platform, launched on 17 September 2022, integrates 43 systems across 11 ministries through 129 Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), encompassing over 1,800 data fields.


Its architecture is built on three distinct layers. The integration layer connects critical systems, including FASTag for toll collection, Vahan for vehicle registration, Sarathi for driving licences, Port Community Systems for port operations, Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) for railway logistics, Air Cargo Message Exchange System (ACMES), Air Cargo Community System (ACCS), and ICEGATES for customs processes.

This layer ensures seamless data exchange, providing real-time visibility into cargo movement across road, rail, and sea transport modes.



The governance layer focuses on compliance, data security, and standardisation, addressing concerns such as data privacy and unauthorised access.

The presentation layer enables startups and private companies to develop tailored applications for logistics stakeholders, supporting innovations in cargo tracking, digital documentation, and grievance redressal.


By March 2025, ULIP achieved a milestone of over 100 crore API transactions, with an average of 1 crore transactions per week.


This reflects widespread adoption by more than 1,300 registered companies, including major firms like Prism Johnson, Asian Paints, and Tata Steel, which use ULIP’s APIs for transporter verification, automation, and supply chain optimisation.


India’s logistics costs, currently at 14% of GDP, are notably higher than those in developed nations like the United States and Germany, where costs range from 8-9%.

ULIP’s real-time tracking and streamlined processes are central to the National Logistics Policy’s goal of reducing logistics costs to 8-9% of GDP by 2030, potentially saving billions annually. This aligns with efforts to improve India’s ranking in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, where it was 44th in 2018.


The platform’s high transaction volume demonstrates its role in creating a unified logistics ecosystem, enabling data-driven decisions for businesses, government bodies, and other stakeholders.


The significance of this milestone extends to India’s broader economic objectives. High logistics costs have long hindered the competitiveness of Indian businesses, particularly in global markets. ULIP’s ability to simplify processes like customs clearance, inventory management, and route planning supports the National Logistics Policy’s vision of enhancing ease of doing business.


By fostering collaboration among ministries, private companies, and logistics providers, ULIP is paving the way for a more efficient and competitive logistics sector, aligning with India’s ambition to become a global trade and manufacturing hub by 2047.



Vidarbha’s Integration with ULIP

Vidarbha’s Integration with ULIP
Vidarbha’s Integration with ULIP

Vidarbha, a vital region in Maharashtra known for its coal, cotton, and orange production, stands to gain significantly from ULIP’s capabilities, particularly through its real-time rail-tracking APIs.


The region’s logistics infrastructure includes key facilities like the Nagpur Container Depot (ICD Nagpur) and the developing Wardha dry-port, alongside orange exporters who rely on efficient transport for perishable goods.

ICD Nagpur serves as a central hub for containerised cargo, handling both exports and imports. Despite a reported decline in export volumes in recent years, its strategic location near major rail and road networks makes it a prime candidate for ULIP integration.


The platform’s rail-tracking APIs enable enhanced visibility and efficiency in managing container movements, reducing delays and improving coordination with rail networks.


The Wardha dry-port, a satellite facility of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) under development at Sindi, Wardha, is designed to streamline export and import processes. Its first phase includes an international container depot, which will handle cargo formalities locally before rail transport to JNPT.


This modern facility is likely to adopt ULIP’s APIs for real-time tracking and monitoring, ensuring seamless integration with India’s national logistics framework.



Nagpur, often referred to as the “Orange City,” is a major centre for orange production and export.

Exporters depend on timely delivery to prevent spoilage, and ULIP’s rail-tracking APIs provide critical visibility into shipment status, helping to coordinate transport from farms to markets or ports.


Although specific data on adoption by these entities is limited, Vidarbha’s importance as a logistics and agricultural hub suggests that ULIP’s tools are either in use or under consideration, particularly for rail-based logistics.


The integration of ULIP in Vidarbha aligns with the region’s growing role as a logistics hub. Nagpur’s strategic location, coupled with the development of the Wardha dry port, positions Vidarbha as a key player in India’s logistics network.


The adoption of ULIP’s APIs by these facilities and exporters reflects the platform’s potential to enhance operational efficiency, reduce transit times, and improve coordination across the supply chain.


Cost Savings and Training for Vidarbha’s Logistics Sector


ULIP’s potential to reduce logistics costs is particularly relevant for Vidarbha, where first/last-mile transport is critical for commodities like Chandrapur’s coal and Amravati’s cotton.


First/last-mile logistics involve moving goods from their source, such as mines or farms, to railheads and from railheads to final destinations like power plants, textile centres, or ports. In Chandrapur, a major coal-producing region, rail rakes transport coal, with first/last-mile legs covering the movement from mines to railheads and from railheads to end users.


In Amravati, a significant cotton-producing area, bales are transported to textile centres or export ports, with first/last-mile logistics involving movement from farms to railheads and from railheads to processing facilities.

Integrating state road-tax data into ULIP could optimise these routes by accounting for tax variations across states, reducing fuel costs, transit times, and overall expenses.

Before ULIP, India’s logistics costs, at 14% of GDP, were driven by inefficiencies such as delays, underutilised vehicles, and poor first/last-mile connectivity.


In Vidarbha, estimated logistics costs for Chandrapur coal range from ₹10-12 per ton-km, reflecting high fuel and labour expenses in first/last-mile transport. For Amravati cotton, costs are estimated at ₹12-15 per ton-km, due to the need for careful handling and longer transit times for perishable goods.



With ULIP’s real-time tracking, route optimisation, and potential integration of state road-tax data, costs could decrease by 10-20%. Post-ULIP estimates suggest Chandrapur coal costs could fall to ₹8-10 per ton-km, while Amravati cotton costs could drop to ₹9-11 per ton-km.


These reductions align with the National Logistics Policy’s target of bringing logistics costs to single digits by 2030, although specific cost data for Vidarbha remains limited.

Commodity

Before ULIP (₹/ton-km)

After ULIP (₹/ton-km)

Chandrapur Coal

10–12

8–10

Amravati Cotton

12–15

9–11

Table 1: Estimated Logistics Cost Reductions in Vidarbha


Training logistics micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nagpur on ULIP’s sandbox is essential for effective adoption.


The ULIP sandbox, a testing environment for APIs, allows businesses to experiment with integrations without impacting live data, enabling them to develop solutions for real-time tracking and regulatory compliance.


Many Nagpur MSMEs lack the technical expertise to leverage ULIP fully, making training a priority to ensure they can integrate their systems and access real-time data.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) supports logistics training through its Institute of Logistics, offering workshops and certifications to enhance supply chain management.


Although specific ULIP-focused programmes in Vidarbha are not documented, CII Vidarbha is likely involved in promoting digitalisation and training initiatives for local MSMEs, helping them participate in global supply chains.


The lack of detailed information on these programmes highlights the need for greater awareness and targeted training efforts to maximise ULIP’s impact in the region.


The rise of ULIP marks a turning point for India’s logistics sector, with Vidarbha emerging as a key beneficiary. As the platform continues to connect systems and drive efficiency, its impact on regions like Vidarbha underscores the power of technology to transform how goods are transported.


The focus on real-time tracking, cost optimisation, and digital adoption sets the stage for a future where logistics is faster, more affordable, and seamlessly integrated, supporting India’s economic growth and global ambitions.



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