Kolkata's Industrial & Logistics Stock Surpasses 24 mn. sq. ft., the Highest in Eastern India: CBRE

Kolkata, August 11, 2026: Kolkata retained its position as Eastern India's largest industrial and logistics (I&L) market, with warehousing stock surpassing 24 million sq. ft. during January–June (H1) 2026, according to CBRE South Asia Pvt. Ltd.'s latest report, "Shaping Future Scale: Eastern India as a Vital Engine for Industrial and Logistics Growth." The milestone underscores the city's position as a key manufacturing, warehousing and distribution hub, supported by sustained infrastructure investments, multimodal connectivity, and growing occupier demand.

Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO – India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE, said, “Eastern India is emerging as a key growth engine in India’s industrial and logistics landscape, driven by infrastructure investments, supportive policy frameworks, and expanding manufacturing activity. As occupiers increasingly focus on supply chain resilience and operational efficiency, the region offers a compelling value proposition through its strategic location, improving connectivity and an evolving logistics ecosystem. These factors are expected to strengthen its appeal to both occupiers and investors in the years ahead.”

Kolkata's growth trajectory: sustained absorption, rising investment

Kolkata's I&L leasing reached approximately 1.8 million sq. ft. during Jan–Jun 2026, a 69% increase over the previous six-month period. The city's I&L absorption recorded a CAGR of 25% between 2020 and 2025, with over 80% of total leasing during this period occurring between 2022 and 2025. This momentum was supported by major supply additions in 2022 and 2024, which together accounted for nearly 70% of post-2020 completions.

This momentum has also been backed by an estimated USD 170 million in I&L investment into the city between 2020 and H1 2026.

Third-party logistics (3PL) companies have led leasing activity since 2020, accounting for 35% of cumulative space take-up through H1 2026, followed by e-commerce (15%), retail (12%), engineering and manufacturing (11%) and FMCG (11%). Notably, in H1 2026, FMCG space take-up rose 4X Y-o-Y, driven primarily by major F&B players, which accounted for over 70% of the segment's total leasing activity.

Strong Development Pipeline

Kolkata's logistics ecosystem is set for further expansion, with nearly 3 million sq. ft. of additional warehousing space expected by H1 2027. Nearly 70% of this pipeline is likely to be developed by leading institutional developers, highlighting sustained investor confidence in the city's long-term growth prospects.

A broader Eastern India transformation

Complementing Kolkata's leadership, Guwahati is strengthening its position as the logistics gateway to Northeast India through multimodal logistics parks, inland waterways and cross-border trade connectivity, while Bhubaneswar is emerging as a key industrial destination, supported by port-led development, expanding manufacturing activity and strategic industrial corridor investments.

Ram Chandnani, Managing Director, Leasing Services, India, CBRE said, "Occupier demand across Eastern India is becoming increasingly diversified, with manufacturers, third-party logistics providers, e-commerce companies and consumer-focused industries continuing to expand their footprint across the region. Supported by sustained infrastructure investments, a robust pipeline of institutional-grade industrial assets and improving multimodal connectivity, we expect Eastern India to maintain strong leasing momentum, attract deeper institutional capital and emerge as one of India's fastest-growing industrial and logistics markets."