Delhi Int'l Cargo Terminal to begin commercial op from Aug 15

DICT is set up at an initial investment of Rs 200 crore by shipping and logistic services provider J M Baxi Group

Delhi International Cargo Terminal (DICT) today said it is eyeing to grab 30% of the National Capital Region's (NCR) 15 lakh TEU containers and cargo trade per annum in two to three years span.

Set up at an initial investment of Rs 200 crore by shipping and logistic services provider J M Baxi Group, the integrated rail-linked cargo terminal and inland container depot at Sonepat will start commercial operations from August 15, said IVS Murlidhar, Senior Vice President, DICT, here.

Addressing a joint press conference, Murlidhar said, the facility off the National Highway no 1 would see a phased investment of Rs 600 crore by 2016 apart from initial Rs 200 crore in the first phase.

"The facility has a capacity to handle 500,000 TEUs of containers annually and is equipped with a large container storage yard, EXIM warehousing with a capacity of 50,000 square feet and a equal capacity planned for the future," he said.

He said DICT is connected with three rail lines, linked through the serving station of Bhodwal Majri and in order to facilitate the cargo operations, modern handling equipment like reach stackers, hydras, forklifts, 75 road trailers, 90 refer plug points etc are being deployed.

Murlidhar exuded confidence that advantageous location of the facility at Kundali in Haryana, from where North India cargoes funnel into Delhi would result in filling up the capaicty almost immediately.

He said the terminal offers less turnaround time for containers, trains and road transport vehicles saving cost and time, which is bound to benefit the traders.

He added that various firms including shipping lines, container train operators, customs house agents, freight forwarders, shippers have expressed willingness to sign memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with DICT.