The inland container depot (ICD) of Container Corporation of India (Concor) at Sheetalpur village in Baddi (Himachal Pradesh) is likely to start operations from April.
With the completion, exporters of Baddi industrial belt and surrounding regions in the state are expected to witness smooth movement of goods.
Apprising FE about the current status of the project, a Concor official said, ?The project work is moving at a brisk pace. The deadline for completion of the first phase is March 31. The platform, which can handle around 1,000 containers on an average in transit (at a time) is almost ready. Work is also on for setting up basic infrastructure facilities as well as the warehouse and administration building.?
The depot will faclilitate movement of goods of industries based in Baddi like textiles, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), electronics, home appliances, pharmaceuticals and auto parts.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Himachal Pradesh government and Concor in the end of 2008.
The company claims to have completed about 70% work in the first phase. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 53 crore.
The state government had transferred about 86 bigha (around 18 acre) of government land valued at about Rs 16 crore to Concor at a nominal lease of Rs 1 per acre per annum for 95 years.
As per the industry department estimates, around Rs 700-crore goods are exported from Baddi every year.
The ICD will help industrialists in saving freight charges as well as ensure timely delivery of consignment. The first phase of ICD is likely to attract investment of around Rs 10-15 crore. ?Initially, the depot will be connected through road. To further facilitate the movement of goods, the depot will be inter-linked with other inland container depots of Concor, the nearest one being at Dappar (on Chandigarh-Ambala road). We shall take up further expansion in the second phase,? the official added.
However, the state government is yet to widen the approach road to the depot to connect it with the national highway.
Sudhir Sharma, deputy director Industries, Baddi said, ?The meeting for acquisition of about 17 bigha for the approach road has already been held and the feasibility report has been forwarded to the state government. The rates for acquiring the land have also been finalised. We are likely to get the approval soon and then the existing road will be strengthened and widened.?