Mahindra Logistics, one of India's largest providers of integrated logistics solutions, and Ascendas-Firstspace, an industrial real estate developer, have announced the creation of a new multi-client warehouse park of one million square meters in Talegaon, Pune. The entire development will be spread over three phases, with the first phase of 0.5 million square feet expected to be operational by the end of 2023-24.

The Ascendas-Firstspace Pune Talegaon-II Logistics Park, spread over 40 hectares, is the second project in the Ascendas-Firstspace micromarket. Talegaon-II is part of the Chakan Talegaon Industrial Corridor (CTIC), one of the most important production clusters in India. The area has been a traditional manufacturing base for large automotive, engineering and electronics companies. The CTIC corridor is currently witnessing significant growth due to the success of the Make in India program.

This will be an important part of Mahindra Logistics' pan-Indian network of multi-user facilities in a strategic industrial cluster. In addition to one million square feet of A-grade storage capacity, the facility will house MLL's first Automation Technology Center, which will focus on the development and deployment of automation technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and automation, ARVR, AGVs and blockchain.

Rampraveen Swaminathan, Managing Director & CEO, Mahindra Logistics, said: "The Chakan region is one of India's leading industrial and consumption clusters. The region is the largest area for Mahindra Logistics and we are excited to announce this investment in partnership with Ascendas-Firstpace. The one million SFT facility will enable us to further expand our range of integrated solutions for key customers in the area and provide world-class technology solutions. The site will also house our first Automation Technology Centre and focus on DEIA talent development. Designed to be an IGBC/LEED certified facility according to our vision of being carbon neutral by 2040."

Mahindra Logistics modern A-Grade warehouse, located within Chakan Talegaon Industrial Corridor (CTIC), will be designed with the company's sustainability standards. It will be developed with a focus on recycled building materials, liquid discharge management, renewable energy waste management and state-of-the-art automation. MLL's commitment to sustainability ensures that the company actively invests in making storage facilities energy-efficient and exceptionally sustainable with the goal of achieving leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for all of our multi-client large format warehouses. The facility will be IGBC Gold/Platinum certified with 100% on-site solar powered renewable energy.

Aloke Buniya, CEO, Ascendas-Firstspace said: "We are very pleased that Mahindra Logistics Limited has chosen to work in our logistics park, which is one of the largest multi-user facilities we have in the area. We welcome Mahindra Logistics with great enthusiasm and look forward to expanding our partnership to other projects across India. This partnership is a testament to the enduring legacy of trust and quality development that CapitaLand Investment and Ascendas-Firstspace have built up over the years. We remain committed to being a strong partner for our customers and building a robust network of logistics and industrial parks across the key strategic logistics hubs and production clusters across India."

Sanjay Bajaj, MD, Logistics & Industrial, India in JLL said: "We are proud to be the transaction advisors for this unique project. This is a testimony to India's logistics growth story. Outsourcing of logistics activities is a major trend with 43% of all transactions in the 3PL sector in 2022".