In conversation with Ishaan Gupta, Joint Managing Director, Gateway Distriparks Limited

Reducing our carbon footprint and increasing investment in logistics-related infrastructure are some of the expectations of Ishaan Gupta, Joint Managing Director, Gateway Distriparks Limited from the National Logistics Policy. 

What are your expectations from the National Logistics Policy?

Currently, various government bodies and agencies are looking after different aspects of logistics, both at the national and state level. One of the key aspects of the National Logistics Policy (NLP) is to bring together all the stakeholders to provide a single-window clearance and grievance system and integrate all the logistics activities in the country. With this, we are hopeful that the overall cost of logistics will decrease in India, while at the same time reducing our carbon footprint and increasing investment in logistics-related infrastructure.

What is your earnings outlook for the upcoming quarters?

We are unable to provide forward-looking statements, however, we can safely say that the volumes are continuing to grow and as we have the fastest transit time from NCR to maritime ports which are improving further due to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor sections coming online, our rail margins continue to improve. At the same time, we have been continuously reducing our debt, and our finance cost has been going down as well, which will continue as there will be a reduction in the interest of our Non-Convertible Debentures by March 2022.

In September 2020, Gateway Distriparks’s board approved to explore various structures for streamlining the businesses being carried out by different group entities. When is the restructuring process expected to be completed and how will it optimize operations?

After the board approval, various activities relating to the amalgamation process have been completed and announced from time to time. Some key milestones being - obtaining shareholder’s approval, obtaining the first motion approval of the Honourable NCLT Mumbai Bench, obtaining the creditor’s approval, and filing of the second motion as well. We now expect the final steps to complete over the current quarter. With this, we will be able to offer our customers a single network for Container Freight Stations, Inland Container Depots, Rail Transportation and Last Mile Road Transportation. We will also have synergies in operations and shared services, and be able to reduce our debt at a faster pace thanks to the combined cash flow which will be available in a single entity.