IILPL to start container train to JNPT

Indian Infrastructure & Logistics Pvt Ltd (IILPL), a 76: 24 joint venture between Singapore-based APL Shipping Line and Rajiv Chandrasekhar-promoted Hindustan Projects & Engineers Pvt Ltd, is going to start a dedicated container train to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai harbour from Samalkha in Haryana. In the first phase, the company would invest Rs 270 crore.

At present the company is operating cargo train from Loni (Delhi) to JNPT (Mumbai).

"We have received permission from ministry of railways for starting up a cargo train from Samalkha to JNPT and Mundra (Near Kandla) on the lines of CONCOR. We also have plans to set up inland container depot (ICD) facilities at Samalkha. For setting up these facilities, the process of acquisition of land is going on," Amitabh Chaudhary, managing director, IILPL, told Business Standard.

"If everything goes according to schedule we would able to commence our services from the fourth quarter of 2008," Chaudhary said.

The ICD project is expected to benefit the exporting community of Panipat and its surrounding areas, as in its absence they are forced to transport their goods all the way to Tughlakabad ICD (from where it is transported to other parts and ports) by road which is time consuming.

Moreover, they have to shell out extra money towards freight cost of about Rs 8,000 per container.

The company's general manager (business development), Animesh Kumar, said, "With this facility we are going to cater to the areas of Samalkha, Panipat, Kaithal, Jind, Hissar, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Yamunanager, Baddi etc."

"We see a potential of 3,000 containers per month after six months of the commencement of our operation," he said, adding that with this facility an exporter can save Rs 4,000-5,000 per container. At present, the ICD at Panipat is not linked with railways.

Currently, the quantum of exports from Panipat is over Rs 2,000 crore.

Commenting on the quantum of investment, he said: "In the first phase we would invest Rs 270 crore and later on it will depend upon the quantum of business."