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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.”

Knives out in legislature

Updated: Mar 21, 2025

Disha Salian

Mumbai: Death of celebrity manager Disha Salian in 2020 once again rocked the Maharashtra legislature on Thursday. While cabinet ministers Nitesh Rane and Shambhuraj Desai demanded that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray be arrested in the case, BJP MLA Amit Satam in the assembly and another BJP member Chitra Wagh in the council demanded that the report of SIT to probe Salian’s death be made public.


Incidentally, amidst repeated disruptions in both the houses, some members from the treasury benches were seen speaking in favour of Aditya Thackeray, while Shiv Sena (UBT) members like Adv Anil Parab were seen supporting the BJP members’ demand that the report of the SIT probe be made public. In addition, there were allegations and counter allegations and personal accusations among members from the treasury and opposition benches which led to heated debate on occasions.


The opposition termed the attempts from the treasury benches to link Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray’s name in the case, as a ‘conspiracy’.


“I think this matter has gone to the court. We have no idea what he (Disha’s father) has said, but Aaditya Thackeray is a mature leader, a young leader. The Bharatiya Janata Party is conspiring to defame him by putting pressure on him. We don’t need to answer to this conspiracy. The court will answer,” Ambadas Danve said.


Earlier in the day, when the house gathered for the business, Minister of State for Home appraised the assembly of the status in this case. “SIT has been formed to probe in the case. Their report has not been received as yet. However, the government shall act according to directives from the court,” the minister told the house.


Another BJP minister Nitesh Rane, however, said that since Satish Salian has levelled allegations against an MVA minister, that leader be treated like a common person and that everybody should be treated equally before the law. Shiv Sena minister Shambhuraj Desai too supported the demand. “Since the allegations are grave, the person in question should be immediately arrested and the case be investigated,” he said.


Later, while speaking to media in the legislature premises, Rane asked Uddhav Thackeray to come clean on the issue. “If they say that we are politicizing the issue, Uddhav Thackeray should also tell the people why he had called, not just once but twice, to the then union minister Narayan Rane urging him to save his son?” Rane said.


He also accused the opposition of shying away from coming clean on the issue. “If they feel that we are not telling the truth, they should say so in the house. But they are shying away from doing so. Bhaskar Jadhav, who is always aggressive, was nowhere to be seen when this issue came up in the house. Sunil Prabhu too escaped the house under the pretext of a phone call. I challenge them to say that whatever I said on the issue is wrong,” Rane said.


He also said that Aditya Thackeray should resign on moral grounds till his name is cleared in the case.


BJP MLA Amit Satam demanded that the details of the SIT probe be made public so that the people would know if the probe is headed in right direction.


Interestingly, while the ruling parties were targeting the opposition in the case, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar surprised all with his unexpected support to Thackerays. “I do not have any evidences in the case. But if her father has made any fresh allegations that needs to be investigated thoroughly. The assembly can discuss the issue at length tomorrow. In the meanwhile, members like Rane, who seem to have some evidences in the case should hand them over to the investigating agencies and help the probe,” he told the house.


Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Gaikwad and Sheetal Mhatre too toed the line and demanded that more and more evidences should come forth.


Similarly, when members of treasury benches were pushing for revealing the details of the probe till date to the public, Shiv Sena (UBT) member Anil Parab supported the demand. “Doing that shall conclusively prove the innocence of Aditya Thackeray,” he said.

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