The Hindu Business Line : India Infrastructure launches container train operations

New Delhi June 3 India Infrastructure Logistics Private Ltd (IILPL), a 76:24 joint venture between Singapore-based NOL and Hindustan Infrastructure Projects and Engineering (HIPE), has invested $60 million as capital expenditure into its container train operations.

The container train operation services are branded as APL IndiaLinx. The funds have primarily been invested in acquiring rolling stock and land for building inland container depots, but officials declined to share the specific details of investment.

Announcing the launch of its container train operations between inland container depots (ICD) at Loni (in the NCR) and NSICT here, Mr Kenneth Glenn, President-South Asia, APL India, claimed that the firm would reduce the transit time in hinterland connectivity to ports by up to two days for exporters. APL is the container operations unit of NOL.

"According to our study, the time taken to move a box from a factory in Northern hinterland to loading it on a ship is eight days. We would be able to achieve a two day reduction in the entire cycle by integrating train timings with APL ship schedules," Mr Glenn said. On the container train schedules, Mr Glenn said, "We would start with one train service per week now, three per week by the end of summer, seven by this year end and nine by the mid next year."

The company is setting up an ICD in South Haryana and is also in talks with other firms for sharing ICDs.

"We are looking for many more initiatives in India and would soon operate throughout the country depending on the growth of the market here," the NOL Group Deputy President, Mr Cedri Foo, said.

IILPL received a category 1 licence to operate container trains across the country, for a fee of Rs 50 crore, from by the Railways Ministry, for a period of 20 years, which can be extended by another 10 years.

More Stories on : Announcements | Supply Chain Management | Railways

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Jindal's clarification on water supply to alumina refinery

India Infrastructure launches container train operations

Bosch bets on partnership with engg colleges

Ambuja Realty plans feeder hospitals