Under the flagship of the Ministry of Shipping’s “Sagarmala” programme, the Ministry of Railways will be taking up the 21 port-rail connectivity projects at a cost of Rs. 20,000 crores.
As stated in the press release, “Many port-rail connectivity projects have been identified as part of the National Perspective Plan, April 2016, under the Sagarmala programme including the development of heavy haul rail line from Ib Valley/Talcher to Paradip. The project will help in transportation of thermal coal from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) to various coastal power plants in southern India through coastal shipping. In addition, another six projects are being considered by the Indian Port Rail Corporation Limited (IPRCL)”.
It further added, “Other rail connectivity projects to major ports like Tuticorin and non-major ports like Dhamra, Gopalpur, Krishnapatnam have also been proposed. These projects are aimed at strengthening the rail evacuation network and the last mile connectivity to the ports.”
The IPRCL (incorporated by the ministry) would first prioritise the projects before taking them up. It has assigned three port connectivity projects for Chennai and Vishakhapatnam ports so that the cargo could be quickly evacuated. Other 19 projects are also in the pipeline.
These projects will make the Indian trade more competitive with lower logistics cost and time for cargo movement.
