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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 7:24:18 pm

JNPA explores DFC link

Mumbai: The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) is set to play a larger role in strengthening the movement of containers from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to major consumption and distribution centres in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with the port authority exploring strategic rail nodes to improve connectivity with Bhiwandi’s rapidly expanding logistics and warehousing ecosystem. A stronger DFC-based freight network could significantly improve the speed and reliability of container...

JNPA explores DFC link

Mumbai: The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) is set to play a larger role in strengthening the movement of containers from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to major consumption and distribution centres in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with the port authority exploring strategic rail nodes to improve connectivity with Bhiwandi’s rapidly expanding logistics and warehousing ecosystem. A stronger DFC-based freight network could significantly improve the speed and reliability of container evacuation from JNPA while reducing the dependence on road transport. Faster rail movement would not only help cut transit times and logistics costs but also ease congestion on roads carrying large volumes of port-bound and port-originated cargo. The proposed integration of railway nodes along the DFC route with JNPA’s container evacuation network is particularly significant for Bhiwandi, which has emerged as one of the region’s key warehousing and distribution hubs. Direct and efficient rail connectivity could enable containers to move more seamlessly from the port to inland logistics centres, reducing the need for lengthy road journeys. Besides improving freight capacity, shifting a larger share of container traffic from road to rail can provide environmental benefits through lower fuel consumption and emissions. Rail freight also offers greater predictability for long-distance cargo movement and can help reduce pressure on existing road infrastructure. The initiative assumes importance as increasing cargo volumes and the expansion of warehousing and distribution activity in the Mumbai region put greater pressure on existing logistics networks. As part of the exercise, JNPA Chairman Gaurav Dayal and Deputy Chairman Ravish Singh along with senior port officials, inspected key railway infrastructure and logistics facilities along the DFC route. The delegation visited the newly developed Kharbhav Railway Station to assess its operational potential and examine how it could be integrated into the freight movement network. The station is being evaluated as a strategic rail node that could facilitate the movement of containerised cargo between JNPA and the Bhiwandi logistics cluster. The officials subsequently visited the Bhiwandi Warehousing Hub to assess its supply chain capacity, storage readiness and last-mile logistics efficiency. They also inspected the New Nilanje Railway Station to examine its potential as another freight node within the expanding rail-freight network. “By maximizing the potential of the Dedicated Freight Corridor through strategic rail nodes like Kharbhav and Nilanje, JNPA aims to offer seamless, faster, and environmentally sustainable container evacuation routes directly to key commercial clusters like Bhiwandi,” said Gaurav Dayal. Ravish Singh said, “Transitioning a higher share of container traffic from road to rail is crucial for reducing logistics costs and turnaround times. Our joint assessments today reinforce our commitment to building resilient hinterland connectivity that supports the growth of trade and industry.”

CM’s Troubleshooter

Updated: Nov 15, 2024

He came to be known as the saviour of the Eknath Shinde government in the state over past couple of years. He remained a prominent negotiator when it came to negotiations with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil. He was also there at Davos to sign several MOUs that the government flaunted later. It can be seen that he is building his power. He is Uday Samant.


Born in a traditionally landlord family hailing from Sindhudurg district, money was never an issue for Uday Samant. His father Ravindra Samant had channelled the inherited family wealth in the contract business and the family had already came to be known as the prominent contractors by the time Uday completed his diploma in engineering. After a brief stint in Shiv Sena, Samant came into contact with NCP’s Gurunath Kulkarni which led to his meteoric rise on the political arena. Kulkarni groomed Samant and ensured that the party trusted the young leader. Samant reciprocated with sparkling results.


In 2004 NCP fielded Uday Samant in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election from Ratnagiri constituency. His victory marked the beginning of a series of successful elections. He was re-elected in 2009, 2014, and 2019. For a brief period towards the end of UPA regimen in 2014 he served as the Minister of State for Urban Development. After switching over to the Shiv Sena in 2014, he concentrated on building his network within the party organization in his home district. One of the notable milestones in Samant’s career was his appointment as the Minister of Higher and Technical Education in 2019. That gave him the much needed opportunity to grow across the state.


During the rebellion, he was the last person to switch side to join Eknath Shinde. After a meeting with the then Chief Minister Uddahv Thackeray he went ‘not reachable’ and emerged in the Shinde camp at Guwahati putting an end to speculations that the rebellion might fizzle out. He got the reward and in 2022 Uday Samant was appointed as the Cabinet Minister for the Ministry of Industries in the Eknath Shinde-led government. While junking all the allegations levelled by the MVA allies he demonstrated how the government promoted industrial growth and development in the state.


Samant is known for his dynamic leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication to public service. He also emerged as the biggest trouble shooter for CM Eknath Shinde over past two and half years. From demonstrating industrial growth in the state to countering the opposition’s claims and pacifying agitators opposing the mega projects and holding fruitful negotiations with agitators and building party network in the Konkan region Samant proved his mettle. His role after the current assembly elections would be worth watching as to how he uses his qualities and abilities.

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