Interview with V-Trans’ Dr Balvinder Singh Banga

The convergence of emerging technologies and changing customer expectations is reshaping the logistics landscape. In an interview with tele.net, Dr Balvinder Singh Banga, Group Chief Technology Officer, V-Trans India Limited, talked about how the company is leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), internet of things (IoT) and predictive maintenance for optimising operations, decision making, enabling sustainability, better customer experience and cybersecurity.

What are the key digital trends transforming the logistics industry in India?

The logistics industry in India is undergoing a paradigm shift, driven by the increasing need for speed, transparency and efficiency in the supply chain. Digitalisation is playing a transformative role in how logistics operations are planned, executed and optimised. One of the most significant trends is the integration of automation and AI-driven decision-making. Technologies like AI and ML are enabling predictive route optimisation, load planning and dynamic pricing. These tools help companies proactively manage exceptions and reduce delivery times. At V-Trans, we are leveraging AI for intelligent route planning and estimated time of arrival (ETA) calculations, which has greatly enhanced operational efficiency and customer experience.

Another major trend is the demand for real-time visibility and IoT-enabled tracking. Customers today expect live updates and complete transparency into their shipment journey. To meet this expectation, companies are deploying GPS, radiofrequency identification and IoT sensors across their fleets and assets. These technologies not only enable real-time consignment tracking but also support predictive maintenance and condition monitoring for temperature-sensitive goods. Our vehicles are equipped with advanced IoT tracking systems, allowing us to offer precise shipment visibility and ensure compliance with service level agreements.

The emergence of digital freight platforms and application programming interface-based integration is also reshaping the logistics landscape. These platforms provide real-time freight matching, digital rate discovery and streamlined documentation. They facilitate seamless integration with customer enterprise resource planning systems, internal transportation management systems (TMS) and customer relationship management tools, enabling a unified data ecosystem. V-Trans is actively exploring such integrations to enhance partner collaboration and reduce dependency on manual processes.

In parallel, there is a strong push toward paperless operations and e-documentation, accelerated further by the Covid pandemic. Companies are adopting electronic proof of delivery (e-POD), e-invoicing and digital contract management tools to eliminate paperwork, reduce processing time and improve audit readiness. At V-Trans, we have embraced a paperless-first strategy across our consignment workflows, driving efficiency and sustainability while ensuring faster billing cycles and improved documentation accuracy.

With increased digital connectivity comes a greater need for robust cybersecurity frameworks, and this has led to the growing adoption of zero trust architecture. In this model, no user or device is automatically trusted – access is granted only after strict verification. We have implemented multi-factor authentication, device posture checks and network segmentation through Active Directory to ensure secure access across our IT landscape. This helps protect our systems from unauthorised access and evolving cyber threats.

A parallel trend is the increased emphasis on data-driven decision-making. Logistics companies are now relying heavily on analytics platforms to gain insights into fleet performance, route profitability and customer behaviour. Dashboards and business intelligence tools are being used to monitor key performance indicators, optimise resources and enhance customer satisfaction. At V-Trans, our digital control tower is a key initiative enabling leadership to take strategic, data-backed decisions in real time.

Finally, the industry is seeing a rising focus on sustainability and green logistics, enabled by digital tools. From carbon footprint calculators to route optimisers that minimise fuel usage, technology is playing a crucial role in helping companies meet their environmental, social and governance goals. V-Trans is aligning its digital roadmap with its sustainability vision, including the introduction of electric vehicles and the digitisation of operations to reduce paper and fuel consumption.

The logistics sector in India is undergoing a rapid and irreversible transformation. The convergence of emerging technologies and changing customer expectations is pushing companies to become more agile, intelligent and customer-focused. At V-Trans, we view digital transformation not just as a technological upgrade but also as a core strategic lever to drive growth, resilience and long-term success.

What are the digital solutions that your company is using? What have been the key
benefits?

At V-Trans, we have embraced a wide range of digital solutions to modernise and streamline our logistics operations. Our core TMS is integrated across all our business verticals, enabling end-to-end visibility, automation of workflows and better coordination between different functions. We have also deployed GPS-based vehicle tracking systems that provide real-time insights into fleet movement, route adherence and estimated delivery times, significantly improving first-mile and last-mile efficiency. To ensure smooth financial transactions, we have integrated digital payment solutions for both customer collections and vendor settlements, reducing manual intervention and enhancing transparency.

In our drive toward paperless operations, we have implemented mobility solutions for e-POD, digital consignment note generation and on-the-go booking updates through handheld devices. Additionally, our analytics dashboards and data platforms allow us to monitor performance metrics, route profitability and customer service levels, enabling data-driven decision-making. We are also in the process of strengthening our security posture by implementing Active Directory and zero trust frameworks across our IT landscape.

The key benefits of these digital initiatives include improved operational efficiency, better customer experience through transparency and timely communication, faster and more accurate billing, and enhanced control over our fleet and financial processes. Overall, digitalisation has helped V-Trans move towards a more agile, scalable and resilient logistics ecosystem.

How do you see the adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, robotics, blockchain and AR/VR in logistics? Are you using or planning to use these technologies?

The adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, robotics, blockchain and augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) is gradually transforming the logistics landscape, and at V-Trans, we are aligning our digital roadmap to embrace these innovations. We have already made significant progress in leveraging AI for route optimisation, ETA predictions and operational analytics, while IoT-based solutions are actively deployed across our fleet for real-time tracking, fuel management and vehicle health monitoring. These technologies have helped us enhance visibility, reduce operational costs and improve overall service levels. As for robotics, blockchain and AR/VR, we are currently in the initial phase of exploring their applications. We are evaluating the use of robotics for warehouse automation, blockchain for secure and transparent document exchange, and AR/VR for remote training and virtual facility planning. These technologies hold great promise, and we are taking a phased approach to pilot and integrate them into our operations, with a focus on scalability and long-term value creation.

What are the key challenges in technology adoption? How are you addressing them?

Technology adoption in the logistics sector comes with its own set of challenges, and we have experienced and addressed many of them as part of our digital transformation journey. One of the primary challenges is change management, especially in a sector where many operational staff are accustomed to manual processes. Overcoming resistance to new systems requires consistent communication, training and involvement of ground-level teams in the implementation process.

Another challenge is integrating modern digital solutions with existing legacy systems, which can be complex and time-consuming. We are addressing this by gradually shifting to scalable, cloud-native platforms that allow smoother integration and flexibility.

Cybersecurity is another critical concern, as digital expansion increases exposure to potential threats. To mitigate this, we have implemented a zero trust security framework and enhanced our identity and access management through Active Directory and multi-factor authentication.

Lastly, there is the challenge of building internal digital capability. We are investing in upskilling our workforce, hiring tech talent and fostering a culture of innovation to ensure that our teams are equipped to manage and drive technological change across the organisation.

What is your outlook for digitalisation in the logistics sector?

The outlook for digitalisation in the logistics sector is highly promising, as the industry continues to evolve toward more agile, efficient and customer-centric models. With increasing pressure to deliver faster, cheaper and more transparent services, digital transformation is no longer a choice but a necessity. Technologies such as AI, IoT, cloud platforms and advanced analytics are becoming integral to daily operations, enabling real-time decision-making, predictive planning and greater operational control.

At V-Trans, we see digitalisation as a key enabler of sustainable growth and competitive advantage. Over the next few years, we expect a significant acceleration in the adoption of automation, data-driven platforms and digital collaboration tools across the logistics value chain. The future will also see deeper integration between stakeholders – customers, transporters, vendors and regulatory bodies – through unified digital ecosystems. As we move forward, our focus will remain on leveraging technology not just to improve internal efficiencies but to deliver enhanced value and experience to our customers.