Indian Rlys to set up multimodal logistics parks

New Delhi: With an aim to expand the share of rail transport, the Indian Railways has asked its officials to assess the transport demands arising out of industrial townships and explore the possibility of setting up multimodal logistics parks in the vicinity.

The zonal level officials have been asked to interact with the Commerce Ministry and project authorities of upcoming special economic zones and industrial townships to assess the transport patterns and volumes likely to arise out of such projects.

The Railways has stated this in the draft policy document for logistics parks issued recently.The Railways has also given broad parameters for the logistics parks: companies wanting to set up multimodal logistics parks on or along the railway land would have to set them up as multi-user facilities barring select cases.

It has categorised multimodal logistics parks into three segments based on area.

Pointing out that private players would be required to invest in creating facilities at the parks (on the lines of investments in private rail sidings), it has said that in case the connectivity involves laying of over 10 km of rail track, the Railway Ministry may jointly develop the track with the project developer.