India Post has expanded its logistics capabilities and is now equipped to transport larger consignments, including home appliances, marking a significant shift from its traditional role of handling small parcels. L. K. Dash, Director of Postal Services, said the postal department is integrating with cross-border logistics networks and is committed to delivering consignments anywhere in the country within 10 days.
Highlighting the evolving role of the postal department in the logistics ecosystem, he said India Post is positioning itself as a key enabler of domestic and cross-border trade.
Industry leaders and regulatory authorities noted Kochi’s growing importance as a strategic logistics gateway connecting India with Africa and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Discussions focused on strengthening e-commerce supply chains while ensuring safety, compliance and efficiency in an increasingly digital trade environment.
Tushar Jani, Chairman of the Cargo Service Centre Group, said Kochi is well placed to serve as a primary gateway to Western and Middle Eastern markets, supported by India’s competitive trucking costs. He also referred to the Government of India’s pilot initiative to establish e-commerce export hubs at 10 strategic locations.
Speakers emphasised that the success of e-commerce exports depends heavily on the “last mile.” In a B2C environment, trust remains the most critical factor. While digital platforms and payment gateways have simplified market access, Anil Syal, President of Safexpress, and Britto Satheesh of the CSS Group cautioned that any failure in final delivery could undermine consumer confidence.
With cargo volumes rising, regulatory authorities stressed the importance of balancing trade facilitation with security through technology adoption. Tiju Thomas, Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), said digitisation has transformed cargo clearance processes, but blanket facilitation is not feasible given national, environmental and security considerations. He urged exporters to strengthen compliance awareness alongside digital adoption.
Deepak Yadav, Deputy Director of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), warned that misdeclared or improperly packaged dangerous goods continue to pose serious risks to air cargo operations. He called for standardised approvals and stricter enforcement to address regulatory gaps.
Meanwhile, Nagaraju of the Directorate of Plant Protection announced the introduction of a mobile application enabling real-time inspections through geo-tagged photographs. The initiative, along with digital phytosanitary certification agreements with four major trading nations, is expected to reduce processing time and eliminate the need for physical documentation.
