TRANSFORMING LAST-MILE DELIVERY IN INDIA: SMART AND ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS

Abstract

This article contains a critical analysis of the topic ‘Transforming last-mile delivery in India: smart and eco-friendly solutions.’ The traditional last-mile delivery practices, smart and eco-friendly solutions and opportunities and challenges of smart and eco-friendly solutions in India are discussed. The article is divided into an abstract, introduction, research object and methods, research results and discussion and conclusions. Whether the last mile delivery in India has been transforming or is still following the traditional methods is evaluated. The secondary data collection method was followed and the data was collected from online and offline articles, books, online news and reports. A case study analysis was completed. The companies in India are still behind traditional last-mile delivery, like manual processing, two-wheelers for delivery and cash on delivery. However, Flipkart, Amazon, DTDC and Apollo hospitals are following smart and eco-friendly solutions in last-mile delivery, like using EVs for delivery and drones.  The analysis found that cost saving, reducing carbon emissions and improving customer satisfaction are the opportunities of smart and eco-friendly solutions; yet, high initial cost and poor infrastructure in India would be barriers to follow. It may take years for the large use of smart and eco-friendly solutions in the Indian market.