Dedicated container train to connect Haryana, JNPT

Indian Infrastructure & Logistics Pvt Ltd (IILPL), a 76: 24 joint venture between Singapore-based APL Shipping Line and Rajiv Chandrasekhar-promoted Hindustan Projects & Engineers Pvt Ltd, is likely to start a dedicated container train from Samalkha in Haryana to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai harbour and Mundra port by September 2010.

The company has already acquired 50 acres for the purpose and in the first phase, it is likely to invest Rs 270 crore.

IILPL provides customers a choice of integrated rail-road solutions by providing connectivity between ports and their hinterland through a portfolio of service products, including transport options by rail and a combination of rail-road.

It currently operates nine train services per week from various Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Delhi-NCR region to the ports of Mundra and Nhava Sheva.

This include two reefer services per week from ICD Loni to Nhava Sheva. Already, the company has received permission from the Ministry of Railways for starting up a cargo train from Samalkha to JNPT and Mundra (Near Kandla) on the lines of CONCOR (container corporation). Speaking to Business Standard, IILPL Managing Director Amitabh Chaudhary said, “We have plans to start a dedicated container train from Samalkha (Haryana).

With this facility, we are going to cater to the areas of Samalkha, Panipat, Kaithal, Jind, Hissar, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Yamunanager, etc. Besides, we also have plans to set up inland container depot (ICD) facilities at Samalkha.

The total project cost would be to the tune of Rs. 270 crore.”

“The land has already been acquired for the project and if everything goes well, we would be able to commence operations from mid of next fiscal year,” he added.

The ICD project is expected to benefit the exporting community of Panipat and its surrounding areas. The company’s General Manager (Sales and Marketing) Animesh Kumar said, “We see a potential of 4,000 containers per month after one year of the commencement of our operations,” he said.

Also, the commencement of the operations from the area will help the exporters in to save input cost as well as help in reducing the time.

Currently, the quantum of exports from Panipat alone is over Rs 2,500 crore.

Besides this project, the company also expects that it would be able to commence operations on routes like Ludhiana to JNPT and Mundra (for exports) and also on domestic routes like Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Mundra by fiscal year 2009-10.