In a significant move aimed at strengthening India’s logistics and trade infrastructure, CBIC Member Shri Surjit Bhujabal visited the Thar Dry Port Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Hirnoda, Rajasthan, situated along the strategically important Delhi-Mumbai Railway Freight Corridor. He was accompanied by the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Jaipur, during the inspection.
The visit focused on reviewing the functioning of the Inland Container Depot, assessing customs facilitation measures, and understanding the infrastructure supporting India’s growing import-export trade.
During the visit, Shri Ruchir Parekh, Managing Director of HPCSL, the group company operating the Thar Dry Port, presented a detailed overview of the facility’s operations. He briefed the CBIC Member on the various initiatives undertaken to improve the handling of import and export consignments, streamline cargo movement, and enhance overall logistics efficiency.
The management highlighted the role of the Thar Dry Port in facilitating seamless multimodal cargo transportation through its strategic location on the Delhi-Mumbai Railway Freight Corridor. The facility serves as an important logistics hub for exporters and importers across Rajasthan and neighbouring regions by providing customs clearance, container handling, warehousing, and transportation services.
Discussions during the visit also covered operational challenges, future expansion plans, infrastructure development, and measures to further improve trade facilitation. The initiatives undertaken by the operating company are aimed at reducing cargo dwell time, improving supply chain efficiency, and supporting the Government of India’s vision of enhancing the country’s logistics ecosystem.
The presence of senior officials from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) underscores the department’s continued emphasis on modernising customs infrastructure and promoting ease of doing business through efficient cargo clearance mechanisms.
The Thar Dry Port ICD has emerged as a key logistics gateway in northern India, leveraging its connectivity to the Dedicated Freight Corridor to facilitate faster movement of containerised cargo between ports and inland industrial clusters. The facility is expected to play an increasingly important role as India’s international trade volumes continue to grow and logistics infrastructure expands.
The visit concluded with a review of ongoing initiatives and discussions on further strengthening customs operations, infrastructure, and stakeholder coordination to ensure faster and more efficient handling of international trade consignments.
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