Punjab, NLDSL partner to modernise logistics ecosystem

NICDC Logistics Data Services Limited (NLDSL), the logistics arm of the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Government of Punjab, to accelerate the digital transformation of the state's logistics ecosystem through the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).

The agreement, signed on July 7, aims to improve logistics visibility, operational efficiency, inter-departmental coordination and data-driven decision-making by enabling seamless exchange of real-time logistics information across government departments and stakeholders.

The partnership will support the development of a digitally connected logistics network in Punjab, benefiting industries, MSMEs, exporters and logistics service providers. By integrating logistics-related data through ULIP, the initiative is expected to enhance transparency, streamline operations, improve policy planning and strengthen Punjab's position as a manufacturing, agricultural and export hub.

ULIP serves as a unified digital gateway that integrates logistics data from multiple government systems through application programming interfaces (APIs). The platform currently connects 46 government systems across 12 central ministries and departments through 142 APIs, covering more than 2,000 data fields. According to the government, ULIP has enabled the development of over 260 applications and processed more than 450 crore API transactions.

Following the signing of the MoU, NLDSL conducted a workshop for senior officials from departments including Transport, Warehousing, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Public Works and Civil Aviation to identify state-specific use cases that could improve supply chain visibility, logistics planning and ease of doing business.

During the session, NLDSL showcased several of its digital logistics platforms, including the Logistics Data Bank (LDB), Koyla Shakti Smart Coal Analytics Dashboard, Track Your Transport (TYT), Transport Management System (TMS) and the Logistics e-Marketplace (LeMP). The platforms are designed to improve cargo tracking, transport management, operational planning and inter-agency coordination through integrated logistics data.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister Aman Arora by NLDSL Chief Executive Officer Takayuki Kano and Jaspreet Singh, IAS, Director of Industries & Commerce, Government of Punjab.

NLDSL, a joint venture between NICDC Industrial Development Trust and Japan's NEC Corporation, was established in 2015 to drive digital transformation across India's logistics sector. Through platforms such as ULIP and the Logistics Data Bank, the organisation supports the government's broader objective of improving logistics efficiency, strengthening supply chain visibility and enabling seamless multimodal freight movement across the country.