Pune: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday proposed that the railway ministry create a dedicated rail freight corridor linking the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai and the upcoming Vadhvan port with the Samruddhi Expressway. The initiative aims to boost trade and reduce logistics costs.
Fadnavis was in Pune's Ranjangaon MIDC to inaugurate a manufacturing unit. He floated the idea of the rail freight corridor at the event, where Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was also present.
Railway Minister Vaishnaw said the Centre would examine the proposal for the dedicated freight corridor connecting JNPT and the upcoming Vadhavan Port with Vidarbha and Marathwada along the Samruddhi Mahamarg. “We have sought the required maps and documents, and will undertake planning jointly with the state government,” Vaishnaw said.
Fadnavis said, “Nearly 60% of India’s container traffic goes from the JNPT. Vadhvan port, three times bigger than JNPT, will be among the world’s top 10 largest ports and boost the country’s trade.”
He added, “I have discussed the proposal to create a dedicated rail freight corridor connecting JNPT and Vadhvan ports to Samruddhi Expressway with the railway minister. If it is set up, it will connect even the dry ports of Jalna and Wardha. Going ahead with the plan, the network can be extended up to Gadchiroli, emerging as the new steel city of the country.”
Speaking about the benefits for Maharashtra, the chief minister said, “Port-related development has helped nearly 15% of the state. It will extend to nearly 75% of Maharashtra with the proposed rail freight corridor.”
Mentioning the high-speed rail link, Fadnavis said, “Mumbai and Pune corridor is emerging as India’s ‘quantum valley’ and the high-speed link will help in creating the largest economic corridor for innovation and technology.”
