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. 24/10/2024 4:49 PM
Bihar has taken a significant step in bolstering its logistics and export capabilities with the inauguration of its first dry port near Patna by Industry Minister Nitish Mishra. This facility, established in collaboration with a private firm, aims to promote the export of goods manufactured within the state, marking a pivotal advancement in Bihar's economic landscape.
A dry port, often referred to as an inland container depot (ICD), is a vital logistics center situated inland. It functions as a central hub for cargo management, storage, and transportation, effectively linking inland areas with seaports and airports. Dry ports are instrumental in streamlining the flow of goods, significantly enhancing logistical efficiency.
Given Bihar's varied manufacturing sectors, a centralized facility for cargo consolidation became essential. The state’s economy relies heavily on exports of agro-based products, garments, and leather items. The dry port will simplify the transport of these goods, minimizing logistical challenges. Additionally, it will facilitate customs processes, reducing congestion often seen at conventional ports.
Occupying seven acres and operating under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the dry port is managed by Pristine Magadh Infrastructure Private Limited in conjunction with the state’s industry department. This facility offers several key advantages:
Enhanced cargo management: Streamlining the handling of goods.
Cost-effective transport: Lowering transportation expenses for exporters.
Superior storage and handling: Improving the efficiency of goods storage.
Bihar boasts a robust agricultural sector, producing a variety of fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, litchis, and makhana. The state is also a major producer of maize, with 11 districts dedicated to its cultivation. In addition to agricultural exports, Bihar is known for exporting sponge iron, processed foods, waste paper, newsprint, rice, and meat. The leather and garment industries are rapidly expanding, with new manufacturing units emerging in districts like Muzaffarpur and East Champaran. Notably, the dry port’s first shipment consisted of leather shoes sent to Russia, showcasing the state’s growing export capacity.
The Bihar government is dedicated to enhancing its export potential. Industry Minister Mishra emphasized the state's efforts to increase land availability to attract further investments. During the fiscal year 2022-23, Bihar achieved exports totaling Rs 20,000 crore, and the new dry port is anticipated to further elevate these numbers.
Fully operational and approved by the Union Ministry of Finance, the Bihar dry port boasts strategic rail connectivity to major gateway ports such as Kolkata and Haldia in West Bengal, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Nhava Sheva in Maharashtra, and Mundra in Gujarat. This connectivity will not only benefit Bihar but will also extend advantages to neighboring states like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha. The dry port is poised to enhance regional trade and logistics, fostering a more integrated market in eastern India. This initiative embodies a broader vision for economic growth in Bihar and its adjacent regions, paving the way for a prosperous future.
