Waqf Amendment Act Set Open Doors for Warehouse Boom
The Indian warehousing industry has received a significant boost with the recent passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. This landmark legislation has unlocked nearly one million acres of land across the country, offering a vast array of opportunities for the warehousing sector. With India holding nearly 8.7 lakh waqf properties spanning 9.4 lakh acres, valued at over ₹1.4 lakh crore, the stage is set for a warehouse boom in the country.
Waqf properties are a unique class of assets in India that are dedicated to religious or charitable purposes. These properties are managed by the Waqf Board, a government agency responsible for ensuring their efficient and effective management. However, the Waqf properties have often been underutilized, with many lying vacant or underutilized. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, aims to address this issue by facilitating the use of these properties for commercial purposes, including warehousing and logistics.
The amended act allows the Waqf Board to lease or sell waqf properties to private entities, paving the way for the development of warehouses, logistics parks, and other commercial facilities. This move is expected to inject much-needed liquidity into the warehousing sector, which has been facing challenges due to the shortage of quality warehousing space.
The impact of the Waqf Amendment Act on the warehousing industry is expected to be significant. With the unlocking of over 9.4 lakh acres of land, the industry will have access to a vast pool of potential warehousing space. This will enable companies to expand their operations, improve their supply chain efficiency, and increase their competitiveness in the market.
The amended act is also expected to benefit smaller towns and cities, which have been traditionally neglected in terms of warehousing infrastructure. With the availability of waqf properties, these towns and cities will now have access to modern warehousing facilities, which will help to boost their economic growth and development.
The Warehousing Industry’s Response to the Waqf Amendment Act
The warehousing industry has welcomed the Waqf Amendment Act with open arms. Industry experts believe that the amended act will help to address the chronic shortage of warehousing space in India, which has been a major constraint on economic growth.
“We are thrilled with the passage of the Waqf Amendment Act,” said a spokesperson for a leading warehousing company. “This legislation will not only help to unlock new warehousing capacity but also provide a much-needed boost to the logistics sector.”
The amended act is also expected to benefit e-commerce companies, which have been struggling to find adequate warehousing space in India. With the availability of waqf properties, these companies will now have access to modern, well-equipped warehousing facilities, which will enable them to improve their delivery times and increase their competitiveness in the market.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the Waqf Amendment Act presents a significant opportunity for the warehousing industry, there are also several challenges that need to be addressed. One of the key challenges is the need to ensure that the waqf properties are developed in a way that is consistent with the government’s urban planning and development policies.
Another challenge is the need to ensure that the waqf properties are developed in a way that is consistent with environmental and social sustainability principles. The waqf properties are often located in sensitive areas, such as historical or ecological zones, and it is essential that their development is done in a way that minimizes their impact on the environment and local communities.
The amended act also presents an opportunity for the warehousing industry to adopt new technologies and innovative solutions. With the availability of waqf properties, companies will now have access to modern, well-equipped warehousing facilities, which will enable them to adopt new technologies, such as automation and robotics, to improve their efficiency and competitiveness.
Conclusion
The Waqf Amendment Act is a significant step forward for the warehousing industry in India. The unlocking of nearly one million acres of land across the country presents a vast array of opportunities for the industry, including the development of new warehousing facilities, logistics parks, and other commercial facilities.
While there are several challenges that need to be addressed, the amended act presents a significant opportunity for the warehousing industry to adopt new technologies and innovative solutions. With the availability of waqf properties, companies will now have access to modern, well-equipped warehousing facilities, which will enable them to improve their efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability.
As the warehousing industry continues to evolve and grow, it is essential that it remains focused on adopting new technologies and innovative solutions to improve its efficiency and competitiveness. With the Waqf Amendment Act, the industry now has the opportunity to do just that.
News Source:
https://www.logisticsoutlook.com/warehouse/waqf-amendment-act-warehouse
