Allcargo Gati: Steering India’s Express Logistics Revolution

In a wide-ranging interaction with Ketan Kulkarni, MD & CEO of Gati Express and Supply Chain Pvt. Ltd., we explore how the logistics giant is aligning itself with the national movement “India on the Move.” Under the Allcargo umbrella, Gati is redefining express logistics by combining its wide reach with technology-led transformation and customer-first strategy.

Reaching India’s Growth Nerve Centres
Gati’s aggressive expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities reflects a shift in India’s consumption map. These semi-urban zones are now pivotal for supply chain efficiency and speed. “We cover 99% of India’s GDP through our express network. The idea is to go deeper and make logistics a business enabler for emerging regions,” Kulkarni shared.

The company has enhanced its footprint in industrial corridors like Chakan, NCR, and Gujarat; key hubs for auto and manufacturing. “We’ve sharpened our presence in India’s leading industrial belts to align with sectoral growth,” he added.

A major leap in system performance has come from migrating to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), improving speed and scalability by 20%. “This gives us the ability to handle fluctuating volumes and take real-time decisions,” Kulkarni explained.

Their digital roadmap involves AI, IoT, and analytics; all enabling precision tracking, route optimisation, and customer dashboards. According to Kulkarni, “Technology is our backbone; we’re building intelligent logistics that scale with demand.”

Sustainability Built into A New Logistics DNA
Gati is also prioritising sustainability through electric vehicles, solar-powered warehouses, and route efficiency. “Sustainability isn’t peripheral. It’s a strategic lever. We’re already piloting EVs across cities and powering hubs with renewable energy,” he said.

The firm’s hub-and-spoke model now serves MSMEs more effectively, offering flexible pick-ups and extended cut-off times for smaller towns. “This approach strengthens our ability to serve Bharat’s economic base,” Kulkarni noted.

Since the Allcargo acquisition, Gati has gone through an operational transformation. Consolidation, process re-engineering, and debt reduction have strengthened fundamentals. “Integration brought us global scale, robust governance, and multimodal capabilities,” Kulkarni emphasised.

Technology now supports the entire customer journey; from booking to final delivery. This ensures transparency and improved SLAs across the chain.

Innovation and Infrastructure as Differentiators
Automotive, Pharma, Organised Retail, and MSMEs are driving current momentum. Kulkarni shared, “We’re seeing strong growth in spare parts logistics, pharma compliance, and e-commerce warehousing.”

To serve these needs, Gati combines surface and air express networks supported by 700+ facilities, 21 STCs, and over 9,000 vehicles. “We’re integrating rail and air with road to optimise time and cost,” he added.

Recent infrastructure additions like the Panapakkam warehouse and Vijayawada hub demonstrate Gati’s commitment to quality service. Smart scanning, AI-led forecasting, and seamless returns have redefined customer experience. “Surface express is gaining momentum, and we’re leading this shift with smart hubs,” Kulkarni said.

The company plans to add eight new hubs this fiscal. With national policies like Gati Shakti supporting multimodal logistics, Gati sees itself as a key enabler. “We aim to be in the top three express logistics players in India in the next 3–5 years,” Kulkarni concluded.

By embedding intelligence, sustainability, and reach into its core strategy, Allcargo Gati is no longer just a logistics company. It is shaping how India moves.