Dry ports: Telangana to call for requests for proposals soon

The landlocked Telangana State will soon have dry ports to anchor economic and business growth.

“We have already commissioned a feasibility study on the identification of locations for proposed dry ports. The study findings will be submitted to the government in a couple of weeks,” E Venkat Narasimha Reddy, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (TSIIC), told Business Line here.

RFPs The government will also call for requests for proposals (RFPs) for the development of dry ports from suitable parties shortly once the location of ports is finalised, the official added. A dry port is an integrated container depot/terminal or container fright station where an exporter can complete all customs formalities without actually moving the cargo to the port. It will have strategic location to function as a hub of economic activity with multi-modal connectivity to the nearest ports.

According to the proposal of the government, the ten districts of Telangana are known for production of different goods and dry ports will make an economic sense for the newly-formed State.

Demand for dry ports Meanwhile, there have been requests from the political leadership from many districts for setting up of dry ports.

A proposal has been made for a dry port between Armoor and Balkonda in Nizamabad district which is home to many commercial crops and well-connected with rail and road network.

The Centre had recently expressed its intention to develop 12 satellite dry ports to help the States that do not have coastlines and to indirectly augment capacities of major ports in the country.

Khammam favoured The modalities are being worked out by the Shipping and Road Transport ministries, according to official sources. It has also indicated that some location might be finalised in the Khamman district though no final decision has been taken yet.

Telangana government is likely to pitch for Sattupalli in Khammam district due to huge agribusiness potential and proximity to ports such as Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.

According to a functionary of leading private port in AP, setting up of dry ports in Telangana will significantly help cargo movements from ports in the State.