Bhubaneswar: The Marklogistics Symposium took place on Saturday at ASBM University, focusing on the theme “Nearshoring: Optimising the Last Mile Delivery System.” The event aimed to examine the increasing significance of last-mile logistics and to discuss innovative, sustainable, and technological solutions for enhancing delivery systems. Prasanna Pradhan, Director of Biju Patnaik International Airport, shared insights from the aviation industry, a sector noted for its advanced technology and strict regulations. He highlighted the critical nature of seamless logistics transportation and the vulnerabilities in supply chains that became apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. ASBM University president Biswajeet Pattanayak addressed the interconnectedness of logistics and supply chains, underlining their importance in achieving cost reduction and operational efficiency.
He also pointed out how global disruptions, such as wars, can impact supply chains. Amit Choubey, Chief Logistics Officer at Tata Steel Ferro Alloys & Mineral Division, stressed the challenges and importance of last-mile delivery, noting that it constitutes a significant portion of overall logistics costs and is vital for customer satisfaction. He made an interesting comparison between connected logistics and the Mahabharata, likening Lord Krishna’s role in delivering the correct message to effective last-mile delivery, emphasizing the necessity of keeping the end customer in focus.