Proximity to transport infrastructure is a major determinant of logistics efficiency in industrial land development. The location’s distance from highways, ports, and railways affects freight costs, turnaround time, and the ease of market and export access. For logistics-intensive sectors, such proximity translates directly into operational and competitive advantages. Below are five dimensions where proximity enhances logistic performance:
1. National and State Highways (NH/SH)
- Sites located within 5–10 km of a national or major state highway offer rapid access to regional and interstate markets.
- Reduces first- and last-mile transit time for raw material inflow and finished goods distribution.
- Facilitates high-frequency truck movement with fewer congestion delays.
- Enhances attractiveness for warehousing, FMCG, and 3PL operations.
- Aligns with government investment in logistics corridors and economic zones.
2. Freight-Enabled Railway Sidings and Terminals
- Land within 15–25 km of railway sidings or freight terminals benefits from cost-efficient bulk cargo handling.
- Preferred by industries like steel, cement, auto, and chemicals with high-volume, long-haul logistics needs.
- Access to container rail terminals or inland container depots (ICDs) enables direct port connectivity.
- Reduces reliance on road transport for low-margin or heavy goods.
- Integration with Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) enhances long-term cost stability.
3. Proximity to Seaports or Inland Water Terminals
- Sites located within 50–100 km of major ports (e.g., Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Chennai Port) are ideal for export-oriented industries.
- Shorter port haul distances lower drainage costs and turnaround delays.
- Useful for industries reliant on imported raw materials or high-frequency exports.
- Inland water terminals (e.g., on National Waterways) offer low-cost movement for non-time-sensitive goods.
- Reduces the environmental footprint of bulk logistics operations.
4. Logistics Parks, Warehousing Clusters, and Multi-Modal Nodes
- Proximity to Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) or organized warehousing hubs enhances distribution scalability.
- Shared infrastructure like parking bays, weighbridges, and customs offices improves processing time.
- Land close to such nodes supports cross-docking, last-mile delivery, and inventory buffering.
- Acts as a feeder zone for larger regional distribution networks.
- Preferred by e-commerce and high-turnover goods operators.
5. Access to Ring Roads, Bypasses, and Feeder Roads
- Connectivity to ring roads and bypasses reduces congestion within city limits and improves round-the-clock access.
- Enables shift-based manufacturing units to maintain supply chain continuity.
- Feeder roads linking internal parks to highways ensure smooth intra-park logistics.
- Reduces wear and tear on vehicles and ensures compliance with axle load regulations.
- Increases appeal for auto logistics, perishable goods, and rapid-response industries.
