India Post has evolved beyond handling small parcels and is now equipped to transport larger consignments, including home appliances, L. K. Dash, Director of Postal Services, has said.
Outlining the expanding logistics role of the postal department, he said India Post is integrating with cross-border logistics networks, with a commitment to deliver consignments anywhere in the country within 10 days.
Dash was speaking at the business sessions of the International Cargo Business Summit held at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).
Speakers at the summit highlighted Kochi’s growing role as a strategic logistics gateway connecting India with Africa and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Industry leaders, logistics operators and regulatory authorities discussed the twin priorities of accelerating e-commerce growth while ensuring safety, compliance and efficiency in an increasingly digital trade environment.
Tushar Jani, Chairman of the Cargo Service Centre Group, said Kochi is well positioned to serve as a primary gateway to Western and Middle Eastern markets, supported by India’s competitive trucking costs. He also referred to the Government’s pilot initiative to establish e-commerce export hubs at 10 strategic locations.
Speakers underlined that the success of e-commerce exports ultimately depends on the “last mile.” In a B2C environment, trust is the most critical factor. While digital platforms and payment gateways have simplified market access, Anil Syal, President of Safexpress, and Britto Satheesh of the CSS Group cautioned that any failure in final delivery directly impacts consumer confidence.
As cargo volumes increase, regulatory authorities stressed the need to balance facilitation with security through technology adoption. Tiju Thomas, Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), said that while digitisation has transformed cargo clearance processes, “blanket facilitation” is not feasible when national, environmental and security concerns are involved. He urged exporters to complement digital tools with strong compliance awareness and operational preparedness.
Deepak Yadav, Deputy Director, DGCA, warned that misdeclared or improperly packaged dangerous goods continue to pose serious risks to air cargo operations. He called for standardised approvals and stricter enforcement to bridge regulatory gaps across jurisdictions.
Nagaraju of the Directorate of Plant Protection announced the introduction of a mobile application enabling real-time inspections using geo-tagged photographs. The initiative, along with digital phytosanitary certification agreements with four major trading nations, is expected to reduce processing time and eliminate the need for physical documentation.
Published on January 31, 2026
