Stories
India, ADB Partner to Revolutionize Warehouse and Cold Chain Grading System
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CNBC TV18•29-09-2026, 17:44
India, ADB Partner to Revolutionize Warehouse and Cold Chain Grading System
- •India is collaborating with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to establish a grading and rating framework for warehouses and cold-chain facilities, aiming to enhance logistics infrastructure.
- •The new rating system, based on DPIIT's recently issued warehouse standards, could provide higher-graded facilities with improved access to government incentives and credit.
- •The government is also working with states to integrate warehousing and cold-chain facilities into their logistics policies, supporting urban logistics planning.
- •Commodities worth –12,419 crore were pledged against e-NWRs last year, a 43% increase, with loans against e-NWRs also rising by 43% to –5,700 crore, indicating growing financial leverage for warehouses.
- •Experts advocate for addressing structural weaknesses in India's logistics network, including improving multimodal connectivity and encouraging rail-linked multi-modal logistics parks to reduce inventory holding and improve goods movement.
Key Questions Answered
India is collaborating with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to establish a comprehensive grading and rating framework for warehouses and cold-chain facilities. Facilities that achieve higher grades may gain easier access to government incentives and credit.
Commodities worth approximately ₹12,419 crore were pledged against electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWRs) last year, representing a 43% increase from the previous year. Loans issued against these e-NWRs also rose by 43% to reach about ₹5,700 crore.
The Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) has increased its number of notified commodities to 246, which includes food grains, pulses, oilseeds, spices, horticulture, cash crops, and non-agricultural commodities.
