Set up dry port in Tiruchi to provide a push for exports, Durai Vaiko urges Centre

Tiruchi Member of Parliament Durai Vaiko has urged the Centre to take steps to determine an inland container depot in Tiruchi to fulfill an extended felt want of the commerce and trade of the area.

Mr. Durai Vaiko known as on Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi on Monday to press the demand. In a illustration submitted to the Minister, Mr. Durai Vaiko mentioned that Tiruchi was one of many necessary commerce and industrial areas in Tamil Nadu and served as an “export hub” for a variety of products, together with engineering gear, spare elements, fabricated supplies, meals merchandise, millets, and perishables resembling greens and fruits.

According to the nationwide horticultural database (2023-2024), launched by the National Horticulture Board, Tiruchi, produced 112.62 million tonnes of fruits and 204.96 million tonnes of greens. Agricultural produce are exported to international locations resembling Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates by way of the Tiruchi International Airport whereas value-added agricultural and engineering items are transported to distant sea ports in Chennai, Thoothukudi, and Kochi.

It is estimated that about 40 to 50 containers, with a capability of 25 tonnes every, are transported by highway each month from Tiruchi to those sea ports. Industrialists and exporters from the area face excessive transport and dealing with prices, together with time-consuming formalities on the ports. If a dry port is established in Tiruchi, exporters might full the require documentation and different process regionally, considerably lowering value and time, he contended.

Trade our bodies, Mr. Durai Vaiko identified, had repeatedly harassed that the export quantity from Tiruchi was constantly rising and a dry port would improve the area’s logistics infrastructure, entice investments, and help sustained export development. Tiruchi’s strategic central location within the State with wonderful air, highway and rail connectivity, made it an excellent place for finding the dry port.

The required land of about 100 acres for the dry port might be recognized within the SIPCOT Industrial Park close to Manapparai or different areas with entry to highways, Mr. Durai Vaiko urged and urged the Minister to take steps to arrange the dry port in Tiruchi as it might not solely deliver immense profit to the regional economic system but in addition enhance the nation’s general exports.