The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is exploring the use of strategic railway infrastructure along the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) to accelerate container evacuation from the port and strengthen connectivity with major consumption and distribution centres in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. The initiative is aimed at improving multimodal cargo movement, reducing transit times and easing road congestion.
JNPA Chairman Gaurav Dayal, IAS, Deputy Chairman Ravish Singh, IRTS, along with senior port officials, conducted a field inspection of key railway infrastructure along the DFC route as part of the assessment. The delegation visited the newly developed Kharbhav Railway Station to examine its operational potential and possible integration with the DFC network.
The proposed integration of Kharbhav is expected to facilitate the movement of containerised cargo directly from JNPA towards Bhiwandi’s major consumption and distribution hubs. By strengthening the rail-based evacuation route, the initiative could help reduce dependence on road transportation while improving the speed and efficiency of cargo movement.
Following the Kharbhav inspection, the JNPA team visited the Bhiwandi Warehousing Hub to assess its supply-chain capacity, last-mile logistics efficiency and storage readiness. The officials also inspected the New Nilanje Railway Station to evaluate its potential to function as an additional freight node within the expanding rail-freight network.
Speaking during the operational visit, Gaurav Dayal, Chairman, JNPA, highlighted the importance of multimodal connectivity for modern port operations. He said that by maximising the potential of the DFC through strategic rail nodes such as Kharbhav and Nilanje, JNPA aims to create faster, seamless and environmentally sustainable container evacuation routes connecting the port with key commercial clusters such as Bhiwandi.
Ravish Singh, Deputy Chairman, JNPA, said that increasing the share of container traffic moving by rail would be important for reducing logistics costs and turnaround times. He added that the joint assessment reinforces JNPA’s commitment to developing resilient hinterland connectivity capable of supporting the growth of trade and industry.
The initiative is aligned with JNPA’s broader mandate under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on integrated infrastructure development and improved logistics efficiency. Strengthening the DFC-based evacuation network is expected to enhance the port’s connectivity with inland consumption and distribution centres while helping reduce pressure on road networks.
The development is particularly relevant for JNPA, one of India’s major container-handling ports and a key gateway for the country’s EXIM trade. The port currently operates five container terminals and is also developing Vadhvan Port, an all-weather, deep-draft greenfield port in Maharashtra.
By examining additional rail nodes and logistics hubs along the DFC, JNPA is seeking to build a more efficient port-to-hinterland cargo movement network, with Bhiwandi emerging as an important destination for containerised cargo and warehousing activity.
