Dry Ports in the Country: Facilitating Trade and Logistics

Dry ports, also known as Inland Container Depots (ICDs), play a crucial role in facilitating trade and logistics by providing efficient connectivity between seaports and the hinterland. These ports serve as important hubs for the movement, consolidation, and redistribution of goods, enhancing the overall efficiency of the supply chain. In this blog post, we will explore the current status of dry ports in India and the government’s efforts to promote their development.

Current Status of Dry Ports

According to the information provided by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, the country currently has a significant number of operational Dry ports | ICDs. The exact number and operational capacity of these ports, categorized state-wise, can be found in Annexure-A. These ports act as important nodal points for handling and storing containers, thereby reducing congestion at seaports and enhancing efficiency in cargo movement.

Future Developments and Expansion

Recognizing the importance of dry ports in promoting trade and connectivity, the Government of India has undertaken several initiatives for their expansion and development. Annexure – B provides details of Dry ports | ICDs that are currently under construction across the country, along with their estimated completion dates. This planned expansion will further enhance the logistics infrastructure and improve last-mile connectivity for the movement of goods.

Streamlining Approval Process

To encourage the establishment of Dry ports | ICDs, the government has set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to serve as a single window for the clearance of proposals related to these ports. This streamlined approval process simplifies the regulatory procedures, reduces bureaucratic hurdles, and expedites the setting up of dry ports. By providing a hassle-free environment for investors, the government aims to attract private investment and boost the overall development of the sector.

Revised Policies and Procedures

The government understands the need to adapt to the changing dynamics of trade and address the aspirations of the industry. Circular No. 50/2020, issued by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, highlights the government’s commitment to revising policies and procedures to meet evolving requirements. The circular emphasizes the importance of capacity assessment, future growth potential, regional balance, and uniformity in the approval process. It also aims to ensure transparency, address logistics concerns, and establish a framework for the design and operation of dry ports.

Creating a Supportive Framework

In order to facilitate the sustainable growth of the sector, the government is focused on establishing appropriate institutional, administrative, and regulatory frameworks for the development and smooth operation of dry ports. This includes setting up procedures for regulatory inspection and the execution of applicable customs controls and formalities. By creating a supportive framework, the government aims to attract investments, enhance operational efficiency, and promote seamless trade facilitation through dry ports.

Conclusion

The government’s commendable efforts to promote the development of dry ports, streamline approval processes, and revise policies and procedures are expected to yield numerous benefits.

These initiatives are not only expected to enhance trade facilitation but also contribute to the overall economic growth of the country. With the expansion of dry ports across the nation, India is well-positioned to strengthen its position as a global trade hub and improve its logistics infrastructure. This will be advantageous for businesses as well as consumers.

Dry ports | ICDs in India offer a wide range of benefits. Firstly, they significantly improve connectivity by establishing seamless links between seaports and inland regions. This enhances the efficiency of cargo transportation and reduces transit times. Moreover, dry ports help decongest seaports by serving as intermediate hubs for cargo consolidation, leading to improved port productivity and reduced waiting times for vessels.

Efficient customs clearance is another advantage of dry ports. These facilities house customs clearance facilities, ensuring quicker inspections, documentation, and clearance processes. The streamlined customs procedures enable faster clearance of import and export consignments, contributing to ease of doing business. Such trade facilitation measures make India an attractive destination for international trade and foreign investments.

Additionally, dry ports provide essential warehousings and value-added services, such as cargo consolidation, packaging, labeling, and quality checks. These services optimize supply chain operations, reduce inventory costs, and enhance distribution network efficiency. The availability of storage facilities and value-added services at dry ports allows companies to improve operational flexibility.

The establishment and operation of dry ports create employment opportunities across various sectors, including port operations, logistics management, customs clearance, warehousing, transportation, and ancillary services. This contributes to job creation, skill development, and socio-economic progress in the regions where these ports are established.

Furthermore, the development of dry ports promotes intermodal transport, integrating different modes of transportation such as rail, road, and inland waterways. This results in efficient and cost-effective movement of goods, reducing reliance on a single mode and enhancing overall transportation efficiency.

Importantly, the establishment of dry ports in different regions of the country contributes to balanced regional development. By extending the benefits of international trade beyond major seaport areas, dry ports help reduce regional disparities and create business opportunities in diverse geographical locations.

In conclusion, Dry ports | ICDs in India offer a wide range of benefits, including improved connectivity, decongestion of seaports, enhanced trade facilitation, efficient customs clearance, last-mile connectivity, value-added services, employment generation, and regional development. These facilities play a vital role in promoting trade, boosting economic growth, and strengthening the logistics infrastructure of the country. The continued development and expansion of Dry ports | ICDs will further contribute to the advancement of India’s trade and logistics sectors.

Dry Ports | ICD state-wise list

Sr. No.StateDry Ports | ICDRail Connectivity to
ICD Destinations		Operational Capacity (in TEUs handled)
1Andhra Pradesh ChiralaRail
2AssamAmingaonRail
3Chhattisgarh
4DelhiDadri (Greater Noida) Rail
5DelhiTughlakabadRail
6Gujarat
7Gujarat
8Gujarat
9Gujarat
10Gujarat
11Gujarat
12Gujarat
13Gujarat
14Gujarat
15Haryana
16Haryana
17Haryana
18Haryana
19Haryana
20Haryana
21Haryana
22Haryana
23Haryana
24Haryana
25Haryana
26Himachal Pradesh
27Karnataka
28Karnataka
29Kerala
30Madhya Pradesh
31Madhya Pradesh
32Madhya Pradesh
33Madhya Pradesh
34Madhya Pradesh
35MaharashtraBoisarJNPT
36MaharashtraBhusavalJNPT
37MaharashtraChinchwadJNPT
38MaharashtraDaulatabadJNPT
39MaharashtraKalamboliJNPT
40MaharashtraMulundJNPT
41MaharashtraNagpurJNPT
42MaharashtraTurbhe JNPT
43MaharashtraWardhaJNPT
44Odisha
45Odisha
46Odisha
47Punjab
48Punjab
49Punjab
50Punjab
51Punjab
52Punjab
53Punjab
54Punjab
55Rajasthan
56Rajasthan
57Rajasthan
58Rajasthan
59Rajasthan
60Rajasthan
61Rajasthan
62Tamil Nadu
63Tamil Nadu
64Tamil Nadu
65Tamil Nadu
66Tamil Nadu
67Tamil Nadu
68Tamil Nadu
69Tamil Nadu
70Tamil Nadu
71Tamil Nadu
72Tamil Nadu
73Telangana
74Telangana
75Uttar Pradesh
76Uttar Pradesh
77Uttar Pradesh
78Uttar Pradesh
79Uttar Pradesh
80Uttar Pradesh
81Uttar Pradesh
82Uttar Pradesh
83Uttar Pradesh
84Uttarakhand
85Uttarakhand
86West Bengal
87West Bengal