Archive · 29 Sep 2026
India Develops Warehouse, Cold Chain Standards With ADB
India is working with the Asian Development Bank to create common ratings for warehouses and cold-storage facilities.
These ratings could show how good and reliable each facility is.
The government is also preparing guidelines for multi modal logistics parks.
These parks connect different ways of moving goods, such as roads, railways and ports.
Officials want states and cities to include warehouses and cold chains in their logistics plans.
Better planning could help reduce food waste and make supply chains stronger.
It could also help businesses get loans more easily and attract investment.
An industry representative said faster deliveries would reduce costs and money locked up in goods waiting to move.
Warehouses and cold chains make up almost 70 percent of multi modal logistics park areas, according to the report.
DPIIT is working with the Asian Development Bank on grading and rating standards for warehouses and cold chains.
The department is also preparing guidelines for multi modal logistics parks and coordinating with state governments.
Officials said the measures could modernize logistics, attract foreign investment, reduce food waste and improve access to credit.
City logistics plans would address warehouses, dark stores and cold chains in and around urban areas.
Industry representatives said effective multimodal connectivity and shared shipment data could reduce delays, costs and working capital needs.
- Who
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the Asian Development Bank and participating state governments; Pankaj Kumar described the initiatives.
- What
- They are developing grading and rating standards for warehouses and cold chains, along with guidelines for multi modal logistics parks.
- When
- The announcement was made on Tuesday and published on September 29, 2026, at the FICCI Logistics, Warehousing and Cold Chain Summit 2026.
- Where
- The initiatives concern India’s logistics sector and include planning warehouses and cold chains in and around cities.
- Why
- The goals include modernizing logistics, strengthening supply-chain resilience, reducing food wastage, attracting foreign investment and improving access to affordable credit.
- Lead agencies
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and Asian Development Bank
- Standards being developed
- Grading and rating standards for warehouses and cold chains
- Additional policy work
- Guidelines for multi modal logistics parks
- State-level planning
- States are being encouraged to include warehouses and cold chains in their logistics policies.
- City-level planning
- City logistics plans may include warehouses, dark stores and cold chains in and around cities.
- MMLP share
- Cold chains and warehouses occupy almost 70 percent of multi modal logistics park areas.
- Expected benefits
- Modernization, foreign investment, lower food wastage, stronger supply chains and easier, more affordable credit