The ban on onion export imposed by the Centre has resulted in delayed shipments of the first container from the container rail terminal (CRT) at Kherwadi of Niphad taluka in Nashik district.
As per senior railway and Halcon officials, working on the commencement of CRT from Kherwadi, their plan to get 45 containers for the first rake hit a bump as soon as the export ban order came from the Centre.
In the month of August, Indian Railways had announced the CRT in a bid to boost the movement of export-oriented containers. As per reports, the CRT provides storage facilities for both loaded and empty containers.
“A meeting was held with the stakeholders as well as Halcon, which was to provide the first mile and last-mile connectivity. It was planned to see at least one container moving out in September.”
~ An official from the Bhusawal division of the railways said
The CRT is yet another move by Railways to draw road traffic towards it by various means, for instance, the newly launched parcel train service promising transportation of goods in a short time.
Speaking of the benefits that farmers, traders and industries could derive from the system, a senior officer from Halcon said he expects things to normalise soon for business to begin.
Halcon is joint venture between the Hidusthan Aeronautics Limited and Container Corporation of India. It has air and sea cargo facility and Centre for Perishable Cargo for direct international air lifting from and to Nashik airport.
“To begin with, we look at onion to help us get business and market here. Gradually, we will add banana, pomegranates, grapes and industrial goods. It is a matter of time that we have the first rake starting from the facility,” the officer added.
On why CRT would be preferred by exporters or transporters in the country, the officers said, “Once established, we will be able to start multi-modal transport for multi-commodity to get access to multiple ports using multiple shipping lines for exports. Multiple destinations for inland cargo services will be ensured to cut down on travel time of goods and also pollution on roads.”
Source: TOI
