The All-India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) successfully organized the AITWA Conclave 2024 – West in Mumbai, which proved to be a significant gathering for transport owners in the region. Attended by over 100 transporters, the event encompassed various crucial topics aimed at benefiting the participants and addressing ongoing industry challenges. Rajesh Rajgor had a word with Abhishek A Gupta, General Secretary, AITWA to gather more insights.
Venue Selection and Vision
In an exclusive conversation with Abhishek A Gupta, General Secretary of AITWA, it was revealed that Mumbai was chosen as the venue for the AITWA Conclave 2024 – West after a significant hiatus, driven by the association’s vision to encourage more member participation through zonal conclaves rather than a single National Convention. The decision was a natural one, considering the large concentration of members in Mumbai. The last event of such magnitude in Mumbai or the Western part of the country occurred more than 7-8 years ago.
One of the notable features of the conclave was AITWA’s unique ‘Manthan’ session, which provided a platform for brainstorming and discussing ongoing industry issues. This session, conducted after a considerable gap in Mumbai, received widespread appreciation from attendees. During the event, emphasis was placed on highlighting various tools and technologies available to members to increase awareness and efficiency within the transportation sector. Among the critical issues discussed was the concern over low detention charges paid by customers, which was raised by several participants.
Participants collectively identified the issue of low detention charges and devised strategies to tackle it effectively. Plans were made to highlight the actual costs of truck idling and advocate for standardized detention charges. Together the actual cost of each truck idling cost was calculated. Based on this a common agreed detention charges were agreed upon which members would highlight to their customers. Apart from this many customers were listed who are exploiting transporters and team AITWA shall approach them for resolving the difficulties faced by members
Discussion Highlights
Discussions during the conclave also spanned a wide range of topics, including standard terms & conditions, collaboration, technology, policy changes, and compliance-related matters. Attendees gained valuable insights into various subjects, empowering them to enhance their business management practices. The sharing of tools and strategies aimed at improving operational efficiency was particularly notable, providing tangible takeaways for attendees to implement in their businesses.
A knowledge session featuring two expert speakers was also arranged, focusing on pertinent topics relevant to the members. The knowledge session garnered positive feedback from attendees, indicating its success in providing valuable insights and information. The knowledge session featured expert speakers who shared critical insights with the attendees. Mr. Ajay Agarwal, a CA and TDS expert, delved into ongoing trade issues related to TDS compliance, addressing doubts and concerns. Meanwhile, Mr. Carlton Pereira, Ex-MD of Tano Capital, provided valuable perspectives on investor expectations in logistics companies, offering guidance on scaling up businesses to attract investment in the future.
Recognition of Excellence and Future Initiatives
The conclave concluded with the presentation of the prestigious AITWA Nation Builder awards, honoring companies that have made significant contributions to advancing the nation’s logistics system beyond traditional trucking. Recognized sectors included warehousing, CFS operations, grain silo management, driver training, and vehicle carrying. The recipients of the prestigious AITWA Nation Builder awards included Rhenus Logistics India Pvt Ltd, EFC Logistics India Pvt Ltd, IVC Logistics Limited, Total Group, and BLR Logistiks I Ltd.
Overall, the AITWA Conclave 2024 – West served as a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and recognition of excellence within the transportation and logistics industry. It underscored AITWA’s commitment to supporting and empowering transport owners while addressing pertinent issues and promoting innovation in the sector.