Union Minister : Sustainability should be at the core of our thinking

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal called for a 100 per cent integration of industry stakeholders onto the Government platforms to improve the logistics sector. During his address at the ULIP Logixtics Hackathon 2.0 Awards Ceremony here today, he urged the participants to think about sustainability and integrate green practices into India’s logistics ecosystem. We have to adopt technology like electric mobility, biofuels, multimodal transport options to bring down overall carbon impact and make sustainability the core of our thinking, he said.

Speaking on skill development in the logistics sector, the Minister called for collaborations with institutions to train and build a future ready workforce. He called for leveraging the Government, private sector and the academia to enhance skill development in the logistics sector. Noting that innovation in building infrastructure is needed, he said that better road building techniques, faster processes for bidding out contracts are required. Using Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, we can make sure there is no time and cost overrun, he said. The Minister also called for more hackathons with newer problem statements and hoped that more hackathons could be organised every three months.

Shri Goyal pointed out that Hackathon is the new style of governance model to solve problems in the country. It is inclusive, involves young minds, startups and innovators. This is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s ‘Sabka Prayas’, he added. He further noted that Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business are the two objectives the Government has set before itself and these two outcomes are necessary for the country to be competitive.

ULIP Logistics Hackathon 2.0 was officially launched on 24^th September 2024 in association with NITI Ayog and Start-up India, to provide a nationwide platform for start-ups, enterprises, and logistics service providers to address critical challenges in the logistics sector.

For the 2024 edition, the hackathon was scaled up significantly, receiving an overwhelming response of over 4,751 registrations. Following a rigorous evaluation process, 72 participants were shortlisted to develop prototypes. Of these, 25 finalists were presented their innovative solutions during the Finale Event on 20th December 2024.

It encouraged participants to explore how data-driven analysis leveraging ULIP APIs can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of logistics operations. This year’s hackathon focused on five key categories: Data-Driven Optimization of Logistics Operations, Tech-Driven Logistics Innovation, Operational Efficiency and Optimization, Unified Documentation and Digital Transformation and Sustainable Logistics.

Hackathon 2.0 built upon the success of Hackathon 1.0 (2022), which was organized by NLDSL with the support of NITI Aayog. The inaugural event provided an excellent opportunity for wider publicity of ULIP and helped in attracting new stakeholders and helped in gaining insights into the challenges of the logistics sector. A total of 500+ registrations were received from different stakeholders. Top 3 winners were felicitated with award prizes. Currently these winners have developed full-fledged applications that are contributing towards shaping the logistics in India.

This year, NLDSL partnered with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Start-up India to expand the reach and impact of the hackathon, fostering collaboration and innovation across a wider network of stakeholders. To further ensure transparency and efficiency in the process, the agency to help conduct the hackathon was engaged through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform, further reinforcing the commitment to integrity and excellence in execution.

ULIP Logistics Hackathon 2.0 received an impressive array of innovative solutions targeting critical challenges in the logistics sector. Among these were proposals for accident hotspot mapping, leveraging geospatial data and real-time analytics to identify and mitigate accident-prone areas, thereby improving road safety and informing better infrastructure planning. Several solutions focused on sustainable supply chain management, emphasizing reduced carbon footprints through efficient load consolidation, optimal routing, and real-time tracking to support greener logistics operations.

Participants also explored cargo insurance and risk management, presenting ideas that integrated advanced risk assessment tools with seamless and cost-effective insurance mechanisms tailored to logistics needs. Enhancing operational efficiency was another major focus, with solutions aimed at improving route optimization, cargo space utilization, and transit time reductions using predictive analytics and data-driven decision-making.

The hackathon also saw proposals centered on digital transformation, introducing unified documentation systems to streamline processes, ensure compliance, and enable real-time data exchange among stakeholders. Additionally, several ideas targeted the driver and vehicle ecosystem, offering tools for real-time driver authentication, vehicle health monitoring, and load optimization, empowering small-scale logistics operators with cost-effective, scalable technologies.

These diverse and innovative solutions underscore the immense potential of ULIP APIs to revolutionize the logistics sector, addressing challenges in safety, sustainability, operational excellence, and technological integration. The hackathon served as a catalyst for forward-thinking ideas that could shape the future of logistics in India.

ULIP Logistics Hackathon 2.0 jury panel comprises distinguished professionals and academicians from renowned organizations and institutions, bringing expertise in logistics, operations, and data science.

The hackathon offered a substantial cash prize pool of ₹20 Lakhs to recognize and reward innovation and creativity in logistics solutions. The prize distribution is designed to inspire excellence and encourage participants to develop impactful and transformative ideas:

• ₹5 Lakhs will be awarded to the team with the Most Innovative Solution, celebrating a groundbreaking idea that stands out for its creativity, feasibility, and potential impact on the logistics sector.
• ₹3 Lakhs each will be awarded to the winners in five key categories

The awards aim to honour exemplary contributions and motivate participants to continue driving change within the industry.