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Multimodal Logistics Parks: India’s Freight Revolution

How India’s MMLPs cut costs, link road–rail–port–air, and drive greener, faster freight under Gati Shakti.

Pratik Kamble

04 Sep 2025 — 2 min read

Multimodal Logistics Parks

Multimodal Logistics Parks: Redefining Freight Efficiency in India

Introduction

India’s freight logistics sector is undergoing a seismic shift thanks to Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), large-scale, integrated cargo hubs that bring together multiple modes of transport under one roof. Under the Logistics Efficiency Enhancement Program (LEEP), these parks are designed to lower logistics costs, decongest roads, and enhance supply chain efficiency, aligning with India’s goal to become a $5 trillion economy.

What Are MMLPs and Why Do They Matter?

Definition & Purpose
MMLPs are extensive logistics hubs, minimum 100 acres, offering road, rail, air, and water connectivity, mechanized warehousing, cold storage, container terminals, and value-added services like customs, packaging, sorting, and returns processing.

Vision & Objectives

Reduce logistics costs (currently ~13% of goods price) to global norms (~8–10%).
Lower CO₂ emissions by enabling a shift from road to rail transport, up to a 65% reduction per tonne-km.
Improve freight consolidation, transit times, and tracking through modern infrastructure and IT systems.

MMLPs in Action: Status & Highlights

35 MMLPs approved nationwide, with 15 prioritized in the near term.
- Locations where DPRs are underway include Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Indore, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Coimbatore, Patna, Visakhapatnam, and more.
Jogighopa, Assam: First MMLP for the northeast on ~317 acres, offering cold storage, warehousing, and value-added services.
Key Projects Under Development:
- Chennai MMLP (~7.17 MMT cargo over 45 years).
- Bengaluru MMLP (~400 acres, operational by 2026).
- Nagpur MMLP, Indore MMLP, and planned Visakhapatnam MMLP under planning stages.
Jalna Dry Port (Maharashtra): Operational since March 2024, expected to handle ~10 million TEUs, connected with JNPT and major corridors.
Policy & Infrastructure Boosts:
- 108 multimodal cargo terminals set up in the past 3 years, thanks to policy simplifications.
- Delhi: Planning logistics hubs, UCLDCs, and digital freight centres to decongest and modernize city freight movement.
- Tamil Nadu: Launching warehousing policy with MMLPs like Mappedu and Coimbatore integrated into broader logistics ecosystem.
- Andhra Pradesh: Vision to become global logistics hub with inland waterways, AI-enhanced systems, and ports every 50 km along the coastline.
- Indore-Pithampur: Private logistics parks proposed near the upcoming MMLP, leveraging PPP frameworks.

Benefits & Broad Impacts

Benefit	Impact
Cost Efficiency	Freight costs reduced from ~13% to ~8–10% of GDP
Sustainability	Road congestion cut by 20%; dramatic CO₂ reductions via rail shift
Modern Infrastructure	Mechanised storage, cold chains, customs, and value-add processing
Enhanced Connectivity	Integrated linkages with highways, rail, ports, inland waterways
Economic Growth & Jobs	Expected massive boost to trade and regional development

Conclusion

Multimodal Logistics Parks are strategically positioned to transform India’s logistics landscape. Through integrated infrastructure, reduced costs, sustainable transport, and modern warehousing, these hubs are critical for India’s competitiveness and seamless goods movement.

With widespread deployment already underway and ambitious policy support in place, MMLPs are powering India’s next wave of freight innovation, and they’re just getting started.