Developing ready-to-use industrial parks and improving logistics infrastructure are now central to India’s strategy to strengthen its manufacturing sector. A new report by Cushman & Wakefield outlines how pre-approved plug-and-play zones, enhanced multimodal logistics, and skilling initiatives can bridge longstanding gaps and boost production capacity.
Industry confidence rising, but gaps remain
The report, Elevating India’s Manufacturing Resilience: Charting the Path to Self-Reliance, is based on responses from 94 senior leaders in India’s manufacturing and logistics sectors. According to the findings, 88% of manufacturers are expanding operations due to improved infrastructure support, while 95% report better logistics access.
However, the sector still faces persistent challenges. The report identifies four core issues: high logistics costs, insufficient warehousing capacity, low value addition, and a pronounced skill gap. These are particularly acute for MSMEs, which struggle with scaling due to lack of integrated support.
Plug-and-play parks can accelerate production
Cushman & Wakefield executives say that plug-and-play industrial parks—zones with pre-built infrastructure, pre-clearances, and integrated logistics—offer a key solution. These parks reduce upfront capital costs, mitigate operational delays, and speed up time-to-market.
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“Plug-and-play industrial parks, multimodal logistics networks, and improved land aggregation frameworks are not just enablers, they are essential levers,” said Gautam Saraf, Executive Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield. He added that these solutions are crucial to converting policy momentum into actual production outcomes.
A five-point strategy for resilience
The report outlines a five-pronged approach to sustain long-term growth:
Accelerate development of plug-and-play parks.
Reassess MSME classification criteria to encourage scale.
Fast-track multimodal logistics parks across key regions.
Invest in targeted skill development tailored to industry needs.
Enable MSME exports through digital platforms and incentive frameworks.
Abhishek Bhutani, Managing Director for Logistics & Industrial Services, emphasized that companies expanding into newer regions will increasingly depend on turnkey ecosystems that offer integrated facilities, connectivity, and a skilled workforce.
As the government continues to invest in ‘Make in India’ and production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, private sector preparedness and infrastructure alignment will determine how effectively India can capitalize on its manufacturing potential.
