New Delhi: Mahindra Logistics presents ET Edge Supply Chain Management Fest 2025, co-powered by Ascendas Firstspace and Blue Dart鈥揇HL, with ElasticRun as Strategic Partner, kicked off with a high-energy Day 1 at Taj Palace, New Delhi. Delivering the Chief Guest Address, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, outlined the government鈥檚 vision for a connected and future-ready India. He emphasised that efficient logistics is at the heart of India鈥檚 journey to becoming a $5 trillion economy. 鈥淯ntil recently, our logistics cost was around 16% of GDP. But I鈥檓 proud to share that, according to the latest joint survey by IIM and IIT, we’ve managed to reduce this by 6%. That鈥檚 a major milestone. This is not just about percentages 鈥 it鈥檚 about real impact on GDP, on exports, on small businesses, and on job creation. He also spoke about a few recent initiatives 鈥淲e鈥檝e started a 鈧600 crore pilot project across 10 highways to build hydrogen fueling infrastructure. These shifts 鈥 from fossil fuels to clean energy 鈥 will reduce both costs and pollution.鈥 Concluding his address he asked 鈥淔or all stakeholders in logistics, please adopt alternative fuels, support multimodal connectivity, and be a part of this transformation. Together, we鈥檙e not just building roads or ports 鈥 we鈥檙e building the future of India.鈥 The day opened with a welcome address by Hemant Sikka, MD & CEO, Mahindra Logistics, who spoke on India鈥檚 rising prominence in the global supply chain network. 鈥淕iven the current geopolitical landscape, India is steadily emerging as a major force in global logistics.鈥 Sikka stated. This was followed by a keynote by Amarendu Prakash, Chairman, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), who addressed strategic imperatives in the context of shifting trade dynamics.鈥淎s we move toward becoming a $5 trillion economy, this journey will require shared goals and collaborative action across the ecosystem,鈥 he said. Shashi Kiran Shetty, Founder and Chairman, Allcargo Group, highlighted the tangible progress being made in India鈥檚 logistics infrastructure. 鈥淲hen you have leadership backed by a clear vision, what once seemed distant becomes achievable. We鈥檙e seeing this transformation happen in the road sector today, not just in words, but on the ground,鈥 he remarked. Day 1 of ET Edge SCM Fest 2025 also featured a series of panel discussions, CXO keynotes, and innovation spotlights focusing on themes such as digital transformation, green supply chains, automation, and last-mile connectivity 鈥 all central to making India鈥檚 logistics ecosystem globally competitive. The day concluded with strong engagement, thought leadership, and networking, laying the groundwork for continued collaboration. Day 2 of SCM Fest 2025 will further witness participation of many more leaders and pioneers of the industry including- Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Cabinet Minister of Industry, Food & Supplies, Forest & Environment Government of NCT of Delhi; Vijay Kumar, IAS, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.