DPIIT and ADB work on warehouse, cold-chain grading standards
The standards are being developed alongside draft guidelines for multimodal logistics parks and state logistics policies. City logistics plans are also expected to account for warehouses, dark stores and cold chains; these facilities make up almost 70% of MMLP area, according to the report.
The channel move
DPIIT is working with ADB to develop warehouse and cold-chain grading standards; these facilities occupy almost 70 per cent of MMLP area. The department is also drafting MMLP guidelines and working with states on logistics policies and city plans that include warehouses, dark stores and cold chains.
Channel facts
- 2026
- almost 70 per cent
What it means for online and offline
Use the proposed standards to inform logistics partnership and acquisition diligence, while monitoring how final grades shape facility quality and value.
Signals to track
- Publication of draft or final grading criteria and whether they distinguish facility types and temperature bands.
- Whether state logistics policies adopt common criteria, timelines, or incentives.
- How MMLP and city logistics plans classify warehouses, dark stores, and cold-chain facilities.
- Evidence of financing, permitting, or procurement decisions explicitly using facility grades.
- Map owned and third-party facilities against likely grading dimensions such as temperature control, storage conditions, connectivity, and operating resilience.
- Include standards readiness and upgrade costs in warehouse renewals, new-site evaluations, and logistics-provider tenders.
- Track draft guidance and engage through industry groups or state consultations, especially on how city logistics plans treat dark stores and cold-chain sites.
- Avoid committing to major retrofits until criteria, transition periods, and enforcement are clearer.
The counter-case
The standards are still being developed, so there is no evidence yet that they will be adopted, enforced, or improve logistics performance. Common grades could add compliance costs without fixing land, infrastructure, or coordination constraints.