Niphad Dry Port Services Set to Boost Regional Agricultural Markets.

The proposed Niphad Dry Port is set to benefit neighbouring agricultural produce market committees (APMCs), enabling regional sellers to gain direct access to domestic and international markets as part of efforts to position Nashik as a major export hub.

The facility, being developed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) as a multi-modal logistics park (MMLP), will serve as more than an export-import cargo centre, with plans to create an integrated logistics ecosystem for the region.

Nashik district collector Ayush Prasad said the concept of a dry port could be extended beyond a single physical location, allowing services such as customs clearance to be accessed by private players and other APMCs.

“A dry port need not be limited to a single physical entity; it is a concept through which services can be extended to private players and other APMCs. This ensures that customs clearance can be conducted across multiple locations. To begin with, we are projecting the extension of these services to the Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon Baswant APMCs,” Prasad said.

The district administration is working to leverage the Niphad facility to strengthen Nashik’s role in agricultural exports by improving logistics, storage and distribution networks.

Prasad said the MMLP is being designed as an integrated domestic logistics park and will not be limited to handling export-import cargo. The facility is expected to provide multi-modal connectivity through links with the Nashik-Chennai Expressway, Nashik Ring Road, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Ozar Airport and the main railway network.

Plans are also underway to integrate the Centre’s mega grain storage scheme with the facility to improve supply chains, reduce storage losses and provide greater benefits to farmers and traders.

JNPA Deputy Chairman Ravish Kumar Singh said the district’s economic development team has been integrated with JNPA’s main traffic office to simplify export procedures for industries in the region.

The district administration expects the Niphad Dry Port to become a key economic driver for Nashik, strengthening the district’s position on India’s logistics and export map.