Debashis Mitra – Charting New Routes in Indian Logistics
In the ever-evolving world of logistics—where a single delay can ripple through economies—Debashis Mitra stands out as a leader who blends vision with execution, resilience with innovation. As the Founder and CEO of Behag Overseas, he has built an organisation that does more than move goods. It moves trust, opportunity, and commerce across borders.
A Dream That Took a Different Path
Most young professionals leave university scanning job portals and attending placement interviews. Mitra took a different route. Raised in a modest suburban town nearly 90 kilometres from Kolkata, he developed an early ambition to be self-employed. After earning a postgraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Kalyani, he pursued an MBA—merging an understanding of people with a mastery of business strategy.
He began his career in 1999 with a starting salary of just ₹2,000 per month. Over the next decade, he immersed himself in every facet of the logistics sector, eventually securing the Ministry of Finance’s Customs Broker License—an achievement that gave him both professional credibility and the confidence to step out on his own.
In 2011, Behag Overseas was born. It was not just a business launch; it was a commitment to deliver logistics services with integrity and efficiency in a field where those qualities are often tested.
From Modest Beginnings to a Regional Presence
What began as a single table in a small Kolkata office has expanded into a network of 10 strategically placed offices across West Bengal and Guwahati, supported by a fully operational headquarters in Kolkata. The company runs its own fleet of 17 trucks and operates modern warehouse facilities in Bangaon and Basirhat—offering covered and open storage to meet diverse client needs.
Its strategic locations include key land ports such as Petrapole-Benapole and Ghojadanga-Bhomra, critical gateways for trade with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. This positioning makes Behag Overseas a vital player in eastern India’s trade corridors, ensuring smooth cross-border flows in an increasingly interconnected economy.
“We don’t just move cargo,” Mitra says. “We facilitate commerce, foster trust, and power economic connectivity across borders.”
Service, Service, and More Service
From its inception, Behag Overseas has operated on three core principles: honesty, transparency, and service above all. In an industry where missed commitments can erode relationships, Mitra insists on open communication and clear expectations.
The company’s mantra—“Service, Service, and Service”—is more than branding. It’s a culture that ensures clients see Behag not merely as a vendor but as a dependable growth partner.
Thriving Under Pressure
Logistics demands agility. Regulations shift, weather disrupts routes, and global events can halt movement overnight. Behag Overseas has learned to see these pressures as opportunities to shine.
During the global COVID-19 pandemic, when much of the world paused, Behag remained fully operational—24/7, 365 days a year—moving critical goods for clients who depended on them more than ever.
The company has also successfully executed high-profile, high-complexity assignments, such as the Adani Power Plant clearance in Godda, which required precision coordination, rapid turnaround, and absolute reliability.
A Leadership Style That Builds People
Mitra’s leadership approach is rooted in empowerment. He believes the best results come when team members feel trusted, valued, and challenged. This philosophy has fostered a workplace where employees take ownership of outcomes and contribute ideas freely—keeping morale high and turnover low.
“Leadership is about building people, not just processes,” he says. “When your team believes in what they’re doing, exceptional results follow naturally.”
The Road Ahead
While Behag Overseas has already earned its place among India’s most respected logistics providers, Mitra’s ambitions are far from satisfied. His vision is to make the company a cornerstone of India’s cross-border trade infrastructure—expanding its geographic reach, integrating advanced technology, and setting new service benchmarks.
But growth, for him, is not measured only in revenue or fleet size. It’s measured in impact: how many businesses are empowered, how many regional economies are strengthened, and how seamlessly India can connect with its trading partners.
A Journey That’s Still Unfolding
From his first job earning ₹2,000 a month to leading a multi-office, multi-fleet operation influencing trade routes across South Asia, Debashis Mitra’s journey is proof that vision paired with integrity can transform industries.
Today, Behag Overseas is more than a logistics company—it’s a bridge between nations and a testament to what’s possible when service is placed at the heart of business.
As Mitra reflects on his journey, he remains both ambitious and grounded:
“We are still on our journey. The true turning point is yet to come.”