Kurukshetra has emerged as a critical node in India’s evolving logistics map with the launch of a state-of-the-art Inland Container Depot (ICD) and Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal. The new facility, spanning 18 acres in Dhirpur, was inaugurated in the presence of Haryana’s Chief Minister who described it as a transformative leap for the state’s trade, agriculture, and employment sectors.
Positioned as a cornerstone of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the terminal promises to deliver integrated infrastructure solutions—bringing under one roof a full suite of services including customs clearance, warehousing, and cold chain storage. The initiative aligns with the national push for multimodal connectivity and reduced logistics costs, especially for landlocked states with high export potential.
The facility is designed to bring logistical advantages previously reserved for metropolitan hubs like Delhi and Mumbai to the heart of Haryana. The terminal’s impact is expected to resonate across agricultural mandis, small manufacturers, and industrial clusters, with immediate benefits projected in turnaround time, cost optimisation, and access to export markets.Crucially, the project also signals Haryana’s growing prominence as an investment destination. The Dubai-based Saraf Group has invested in the ICD project, highlighting the state’s emerging global linkages and investor-friendly climate. The same group is currently operating a Multimodal Logistics Park in Palwal and is also developing a transshipment hub in Rewari, strengthening Haryana’s positioning as a logistics hub for northern India.
Officials noted that the facility will reduce logistics costs by up to 30% and significantly compress delivery timelines. This cost efficiency is expected to raise the global competitiveness of Haryana’s products, especially in sectors such as agro-processing, textiles, engineering goods, and pharmaceuticals. Moreover, the development is projected to generate thousands of new employment opportunities, particularly in warehousing, packaging, freight handling, and transportation services. The Chief Minister credited the project’s realisation to the strategic groundwork laid by the previous government, especially in building international partnerships and advocating for Haryana’s inclusion in global supply chains. He also acknowledged the role of the Department of Foreign Cooperation in ensuring a skilled labour ecosystem tailored to global industry requirements.
The terminal’s role goes beyond the immediate geography of Kurukshetra. It is envisioned as a logistics gateway for neighbouring states including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, thereby expanding its influence across the north Indian corridor. Planners say that the terminal will serve as a feeder for both northern hinterland trade and port-bound cargo, streamlining domestic and international shipments. Touted as a “Gateway to Global Trade,” the Dhirpur terminal is being positioned as an incubator for entrepreneurial energy. Authorities are urging young entrepreneurs, SMEs, and farmer producer organisations to capitalise on the facility’s infrastructure to scale operations, reduce costs, and reach new markets.
The broader logistics vision for Haryana—anchored in strategic projects, foreign investment , and multimodal access—marks a shift toward inclusive, infrastructure-led growth. As global supply chains realign post-pandemic, Haryana appears poised to become a fulcrum of regional trade, benefiting both industry and local livelihoods.
