Adani Ports Sees Warehousing Growth Shifting Towards Eastern India and Smaller Cities

India’s next phase of warehousing expansion is expected to extend beyond established consumption centres, with Odisha, West Bengal and Assam offering growth opportunities, according to Pankaj Kumar Bhardwaj, Senior Vice President and Business Head, Warehousing and Adani Agri Logistics, at Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ).

Speaking on 29 September, Bhardwaj said state logistics policies and opportunities linked to manufacturing and trade were encouraging companies to consider a wider geographical footprint. APSEZ’s warehousing roadmap includes smaller cities alongside its established markets.

Land Availability Supports Customer-Led Development

Bhardwaj said the company already held land parcels in several emerging locations, allowing it to develop ready-to-use warehouses according to customer demand. It could also offer build-to-suit (BTS) facilities for businesses requiring customised space.

He identified export-import (EXIM) cargo, ports and inland container depots (ICDs) as additional drivers of development over a five- to 10-year horizon.

Eastern India’s warehousing market remained comparatively underdeveloped, he said, identifying Odisha, West Bengal and Assam as potential sources of additional volumes. He also referred to the company’s presence at Dhamra and Vizhinjam and said it had recently secured two berths at Paradip. These comments outlined growth opportunities rather than a location-specific warehouse construction schedule.

Existing Logistics Network Provides a Base for Expansion

APSEZ’s published financial-year 2025–26 results provide context for its expansion plans. The company reported a network of 15 ports and terminals across India’s western, southern and eastern coasts, supported by 12 multimodal logistics parks and 3.1 million square feet of warehousing space.

Its logistics capabilities also included more than 25,000 trucks operating through its proprietary platform. The company described its transport offering as spanning international freight, port handling, rail movement, logistics parks, warehousing and final road delivery.

This network places warehousing within a broader cargo-handling business, connecting coastal gateways with inland production and consumption centres. The reported warehouse footprint represents the company’s disclosed operating network, distinct from potential developments discussed in its growth roadmap.

Dhamra Adds an Eastern Gateway for Hinterland Cargo

Dhamra is an existing operational port in Odisha’s Bhadrak district. Its operator, Dhamra Port Company Limited, is a wholly owned APSEZ subsidiary.

The port’s location serves the mineral-rich eastern hinterland, while its deep-draught infrastructure accommodates large bulk carriers. APSEZ also reported the commencement of an export terminal at Dhamra in its results for the quarter ended June 2025.

These existing assets provide the operational context for Bhardwaj’s emphasis on port-linked logistics development in eastern India. His remarks did not specify warehouse capacities, investment commitments or completion dates for the three states identified.

Logistics Policy Supports Infrastructure and Service Improvements

The expansion outlook comes against a national policy framework intended to improve freight movement and logistics services. Launched in September 2022, the National Logistics Policy complements the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.

While PM GatiShakti focuses on integrated infrastructure and network planning, the logistics policy addresses processes, digital systems and workforce capabilities. Associated initiatives include the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), designed to connect transport-related digital services.

An e-handbook on warehousing standards was also launched in September 2022 to support standardisation across logistics assets and operations. Together, these initiatives establish a policy framework for improving connectivity and service quality as warehouse development reaches more locations.