Nagpur: The transportation minister Union Nitin Gadkari finally got his dream project under his control.
The dry port proposed by him in Sindi in the Wardha District has been very encouraged as a project that will provide the main Fillip for the logistics business in Vidarbha.
Gadkari lost control of the project when the shipping service was taken from it, but now the project has been taken over by the business of the National Highway Authority (NHAI), which comes under the Ministry of Gadkari.
Come as a Multimodal (MMLP) logistics park, Sindi is mentioned regularly in Gadkari’s speech.
Built by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), since Gadkari held a shipping service in his first term, the work had taken the back seat lately.
On Friday, the MoU was signed between JNPT, and the National Highways and Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), to develop Sindi projects.
Formed about six months ago, NHLML is NHAI’s efforts.
The Minister also announced plans to establish more multimodal logistics parks on the Sindi line.
JNPT is building similar facilities in Jalna, Solapur and Nashik, and the bond with NHLML is expected.
During the term of our second BJP government, Gadkari was abandoned with the Ministry of Road Transportation.
Working in Sindi Port also took the back seat after that.
This is because JNPT does not have a lot of experience building inland ports.
Now with NHLML holding 60% of shares in JV with JNPT, most controls are expected with Gadkari services.
Gadkari said this project would develop Sindi City to a smart city and finally developed Nagpur as the capital logistics capital.
Apart from the inland container depot (ICD), Sindi will also have a nearby warehouse and industrial complex.
It will bring a unit that produces cargo close to the dry port, which will directly take the container to the JNPT port in Mumbai.
This project will be developed based on PPP with an offer to be invited to roping in a private couple.
At present, most jobs will be carried out by NHAI as JNPT, which has prepared the basic infrastructure of ICD and train connectivity, has no many roles remaining in further development.
Nhai will build road connectivity to the park.
Private developers will be issued to run a park where the unit will be invited for taking land in industrial parks and warehousing.
“MMLP will be different from conventional ICD, which is already in the region, because the industry and warehousing facilities are approaching it,” said K Sathianathan, a NHLML director.
Apart from this, export cargo can also be moved for domestic purposes from Sindi, he said.
Sathianathan said the Sindi project was close to Butibori and also had a number of other industries in the catchment area.
At present there is a 10,000 container for twenty feet (TEU) units from Nagpur.
There are three ICDs operating with two more, including Sindi, coming.
The strategic location of Sindi is expected to attract many businesses that come out to logistics parks.
Sanjay Setri, JNPT chairman, said the formalities that are usually done only at the port will be completed right in ICD in Sindi.
Similar facilities are not available in conventional ICDs.