Dubai-based port operator DP World has acquired a 49% stake in a soon-to-be-operational multimodal logistics park (MMLP) being developed by a unit of Reliance Industries Ltd at Mappedu near Chennai in Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvallur district, according to sources familiar with the development.
While the deal value remains undisclosed, both companies are expected to formally announce the transaction in the coming days.
The project will now be operated through a joint venture, Chennai Global Logistics Park Ltd, with Ajay Moghe appointed as Chief Executive Officer. Moghe previously served as Senior Director – Operations, Ports and Terminals at DP World’s facilities in Nhava Sheva at Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
An official from National Highway Logistics Management Ltd (NHLM) confirmed that the stake acquisition aligns with the concession agreement, which permits equity dilution of up to 49%.
Strategic Project Under Bharatmala
The Mappedu MMLP is the first multimodal logistics park being developed under the government’s Bharatmala Pariyojana using private investment. The ₹1,427 crore project spans 184 acres and is being implemented by Chennai MMLP Pvt Ltd, a special purpose vehicle formed by NHLM in partnership with Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd, and Chennai Port Authority.
The first phase, with an investment of ₹397 crore, is expected to begin operations shortly. Subsequent phases are scheduled for completion in the 10th and 15th years from the appointed date of February 15, 2024.
Strong Revenue Visibility and Connectivity
The logistics park is projected to derive around 35% of its revenue from Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd and its subsidiaries, catering to warehousing and cargo handling needs. The remaining revenue will come from third-party customers.
Strategically located, the facility lies within proximity to major logistics hubs, including Chennai Port, Ennore Port, and Kattupalli Port, along with Chennai International Airport. It is also well connected to national highways and is expected to feature rail linkage, enhancing multimodal transport efficiency.
Positioned near the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road, the MMLP will serve key manufacturing clusters in the region, boosting supply chain integration and reducing logistics costs.
Long-Term Concession Model
Reliance secured the project in 2023 by offering a minimum guaranteed revenue share of approximately ₹459 crore to NHLM over a 45-year concession period. Payments will commence from the third year of commercial operations.
Integrated Logistics Hub
Multimodal logistics parks like Mappedu are designed as cargo consolidation and distribution centres that integrate multiple transport modes—road, rail, and port connectivity. These facilities typically offer advanced infrastructure such as mechanised cargo handling systems, warehouses, cold chain facilities, and container terminals.
They also provide value-added services including customs clearance, sorting, grading, aggregation, and cold storage, enabling efficient, end-to-end logistics solutions from a single location.
The DP World–Reliance partnership marks a significant step in strengthening India’s logistics infrastructure, aligning with broader efforts to modernise supply chains and improve freight efficiency nationwide.
