The mutli-modal logistics park (MMLP) at Sindi in Wardha district, the dream project of Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, will be inaugurated on Thursday when an empty rake of containers will be taken inside the park. The rake will be later stuffed with consignments heading for Bangladesh.
The rake is expected to be full within 2-3 days after which it would take off towards Haldia in West Bengal.
Finally, the cargo will be transported to Bangladesh in barges through the river route, said sources.
Gadkari has regularly mentioned about the Sindi project in his speeches. Spread in over 150 acres, the project entails a total investment of ₹673 crore. Adrijit Biswas, joint advisor (logistics) of NHLM, said the project was made operational within a record time. The work was completed within three and a half months of awarding letter of acceptance to M/s Delta Bulk Shipping Corporation, the private player roped in for developing the MMLP.
Normally, the cargo heading towards Bangladesh first reaches Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai and then taken to Bangladesh through Colombo or other longer sea route. The new route is expected to cut down the logistics cost substantially.
The MMLP is among the 35 locations identified across the country for similar facilities. It is being developed by National Highways Logistics Management (NHLM) Ltd, a subsidiary of National Highways Authority of India.