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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.”

US Vice President JD Vance, his family arrive in Delhi

  • PTI
  • Apr 21, 2025
  • 2 min read


NEW DELHI: US Vice President J D Vance arrived here on Monday on a four-day visit to India against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between the two strategic partners to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access.


Vance is accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri and their three children Ewan, Vivek, Mirabel and a delegation of senior US government officials.


The US Vice President and the Second Lady were received at the Palam air base by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.


The American leader was also accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival.

In the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a dinner for the Vances after holding wide-ranging talks with the US Vice President.


External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Indian ambassador to US Vinay Mohan Kwatra are expected to be part of the Indian team to be led by PM Modi at the talks.


The focus of the meeting is likely to be on early finalisation of the proposed bilateral trade pact as well as ways to boost overall trajectory of ties between the two countries.


Besides Delhi, Vance and his family will travel to Jaipur and Agra.

Vance's first visit to India comes weeks after US President Donald Trump imposed and then paused a sweeping tariff regime against around 60 countries, including India.


New Delhi and Washington are now holding negotiations to seal a bilateral trade agreement that is expected to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access.


Vance and his family are scheduled to leave for Jaipur on Monday night.

In Delhi, the US Vice President and his family are staying at the ITC Maurya Sheraton hotel.


On April 22, the Vances will visit a number of historical sites in Jaipur, including the Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort. The fort is a UNESCO world heritage site.


In the afternoon, the US Vice President is scheduled to address a gathering at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur.


Vance is expected to delved into broader aspects of India-US relations under the Donald Trump administration during his speech that is expected to be attended by diplomats, foreign policy experts, Indian government officials and academia.


The US Vice President and his family will travel to Agra on the morning of April 23, people familiar with the matter said.


In Agra, they will visit the Taj Mahal and Shilpgram which is an open air emporium showcasing various Indian artefacts, they said.


After concluding their visit to Agra, the Vances will return to Jaipur on the second half of April 23.


The US Vice President and his family will depart for the US from Jaipur on April 24, according to the people cited above.

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