By: Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: Among Northeastern states and Himalayan region, Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as top performer in the logistics ease across different states (LEADS) 2021 index.
The LEADS report released by the Union Commerce Ministry assessed the logistics efficiency of states and Union Territories.
According to the report, a copy of which is with The Precious Kashmir, J&K has emerged as top performer in the category of Northeastern states and Himalayan region.
“Within the North Eastern States and Himalayan Region, Jammu and Kashmir is the top ranker followed by Sikkim and Meghalaya,” reads the report.
According to the report, J&K and NER were considered as a separate category for ranking because their geographical positioning, terrain, resource base and economic activity at large act as natural deterrents to development of a robust logistics infrastructure and its effective management.
The report states that Jammu & Kashmir leads the group on account of better than average performance in the operating and regulatory and objective indicators.
“The state is perceived to be lower than the composite average for all three broad parameters – logistics infrastructure, logistics services and operating and regulatory environment. The state is perceived to have inadequate rail connectivity along with poor road condition. The same has been buttressed by respondents during stakeholder interactions. The state is perceived to have high freight rates as well as high terminal prices due to less availability of overall logistics infrastructure,” the report states.
“During stakeholder interactions it was also highlighted that the State lacks effective State facilitation with regards to logistics,” it further states.
The report has recommended that J&K may inspect and investigate the constraints being faced by the industry and may undertake construction of all-weather roads in the state and build logistics infrastructure.
“The UT may coordinate with National Highways Authority of India and Ministry of Railways to examines the possibility of development of highways and railway infrastructure,” it further states.
