Green Freight Corridors And Their Future

As the global push for decarbonisation intensifies, Green Freight Corridors (GFCs) become increasingly significant for sustainable logistics in surface transportation.

- Ashish Bhatia

These dedicated freight routes, equipped with charging stations, refueling points for green fuels, and multimodal connectivity, are designed to reduce the carbon footprint of commercial vehicle operations. In India, government-backed initiatives such as the Gati Shakti Master Plan, the National Logistics Policy (NLP), and pilot projects on green corridors like the DelhiMumbai Expressway are accelerating the transition to cleaner freight transport. Moderator V. G. Ramakrishnan, Managing Partner, Avanteum Advisors LLP, steered the discussion to look at crucial aspects of surface transportation as he addressed the past initiatives, the as-is developments and the future roadmap. The panel consisted of Sandeep Mathur, Group Head - OEM Business, Apollo Tyres Ltd.; Vinod Aggarwal, Vice Chairman (Non-Executive), EMI and MD & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd; Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head - MHCV, Ashok Leyland Ltd.; Anand S, Vice President and Business HeadCommercial vehicles, Passenger Business and Dr. Venkat Srinivas, Business Head - Trucks and Buses & Construction Equipment, Mahindra Group.

For stakeholders in the commercial vehicle industry, Green Freight Corridors (GFCs) offer new opportunities for growth and innovation. By incorporating trucks powered by electric, hydrogen, LNG, and biofuel trucks, along with Al-driven route optimisation and smart infrastructure, GFCs can lead to lower emissions, improved efficiency, and reduced logistics costs. However, scaling these corridors will require significant investments in infrastructure, consistent policy frameworks, and collaboration between public and private sectors, as the panel acknowledged.

THE GROWING DEMAND FOR SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS