The first ‘Tea Special’ was flagged off from the Inland Container Depot (ICD) located at Irugur in Coimbatore last night.

This initiative by the Container Corporation of India (Concor) aimed at providing logistic support, both in export-import and domestic traffic, seems to have been received well by the trade here.

Concor sources told this correspondent that they have been trying hard to revamp rail connectivity between Coimbatore and the International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam in Kochi since November.

“Satisfied with the trial movements and its connectivity to vessels, exporters have come forward to offer greater volumes in the coming days for hassle-free movement from the hinterland to the port for destinations such as Egypt and Tunisia,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the first train carrying 25 x 40 feet containers of tea left the ICD terminal for Kochi Port on Wednesday. Tea exporter Shah Brothers took advantage of this service.

The Corporation is now contemplating increasing the frequency of the service from one to two trains each week, both ways, for faster movement.

Exporters say that rail services are more economical, fast and convenient for movement of goods.