Gadkari lays foundation of multi-modal logistics park at Sindi Railway for direct exports from Vidarbha

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari performed the bhoomipujan of a multi-modal logistics park at Sindi Railway. Speaking on the occasion, he said the park would open a direct export route to international markets through the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority. According to him, it would also create new employment opportunities for local people.

Those present at the ceremony included Wardha Guardian Minister Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, MLA Sameer Kunawar, District Collector Vanamathi C., former MP Ramdas Tadas and Sindi Railway Municipal Council president Rani Kalode, among other dignitaries.

The project is being developed by National Highway Logistics Management Limited, a special purpose vehicle of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The work is being carried out through Amara Trans Solutions. The project is being built jointly by National Highway Logistics Management Limited and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority. A 150-acre plot near Sindi Railway station has been earmarked for it. In his post, Gadkari wrote that the project spreads over 150.42 acres and is being developed by Maharashtra MMLP Private Limited, a joint venture of NHLML and JNPA.

Gadkari said cotton, cotton bales, yarn, oranges and vegetables from Vidarbha could be sent directly to foreign markets through the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority from this park. He also said the time taken to send Vidarbha's goods by the Mumbai-Colombo-Dhaka route would come down. He added that the first goods train (rake) carrying Maruti cars under this project has already begun running.

Several modern facilities will be built in the park, including cold storage, modern warehouses and godowns. Arrangements will be made to consolidate goods from major industries of Nagpur and Wardha in one place. Modern container transport and storage facilities will be available, and an exporters' cluster will also be developed. A customs office will also open at Sindi Railway, so that handling of containers arriving from India and abroad and customs procedures can be completed locally.

Relief on costs is also expected. Through the dry port at Sindi Railway, Vidarbha's cotton, cotton bales, textiles and oranges can be sent directly to Bangladesh via the Haldia route in Kolkata, without being taken to Mumbai. Under this arrangement, the transport cost per container is expected to fall from about Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 1 lakh.

Farmers and traders of Vidarbha will benefit. The multi-modal logistics park is coming up on the border of Nagpur and Wardha districts. The Centre and the state government have made financial provisions for it. The park will be linked to the dry port at Sindi Railway.