Concor plans terminal expansion at JNPT

Multi modal logistics operator Container Corporation of India (Concor) is planning to acquire additional 14 hectares of land to expand its container freight station (CFS) operations at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Navi Mumbai.

"Concor is planning to add another 14 hectares to the existing 10.5 hectares of Dronagiri rail terminal (DRT). Eight hectares of this additional land will be used to set up two warehouses," said Arvind Bhatnagar, chief general manager, (Western region), Concor.

"Now, Concor can start import bonding facility and consolidation of less than a container load (LCL) at JN Port. We are now in the process of securing custom notification for the new facility," Bhatnagar said.

According to sources, the import bonding facility will enable a trader to release his cargo in multiple terms under a bond facility.

"An importer can take delivery of his shipment partly, so that duty burden will not come at one shot. This is done by paying a small sum to Concor for storing the cargo in their warehouse," they pointed out.

"With additional space, Concor can streamline the loose cargoes and can consolidate them into full container load. This is going to benefit small and medium sized shippers at JN Port," a industry analyst said.

The proposed warehouses will have a space of 18,000 sq mt and 9,000 sq mt respectively and their construction will be completed by January 2006. Currently, Concor has two warehouses with space of 2,000 sq mt and 4,000 sq mt respectively at DRT.

Bhatnagar declined to comment on the capital outlay for the proposed expansion. The move is expected to ease the freight congestion at JN Port, which handles over 56 per cent of container traffic of the country.

At present, Concor is operating eight rail terminals in the western region including DRT, New Mulund, Mulund, Ratlam, Turbhe (Mumbai), Pithampur (Indore), Miraj and Chinchwad (Pune).

SPREADING WINGS

Additional land to be acquired will be used to develop Dronagiri rail terminal, the container freight station handling traffic from JN Port and its private container terminal Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal

Two more warehouses planned at Dronagiri terminal. As of now,Concor has two warehouses here

Concor is planning to start LCL consolidation and Import bonding facility