Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 1: The logistics cost in Jammu and Kashmir is 10 to 15% higher than the national average owing to the rugged terrain, a government document reveals.
As per the document, over 60% of the state is mountainous. “The goods in transit are subjected to rugged topography which is compounded by the vagaries of the weather. In the absence of adequate protection and roadside facilities the cost efficiency of goods is affected,” the document reads.
The document says that there is a high scope in investment in the underdeveloped infrastructure in Grade-A warehousing, ICD, Cold Storage. “The Government with a focus to develop efficient and automated facility to reduce logistic costs, provide modern storage and handling infrastructure with a rail linked freight aggregation and distribution to reduce transit time,” it says.
In order to bring down the logistics costs of commodities from 30% to 10%, the government has decided to take several measures.
In this regard, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Government of Dubai and the global trade enablers DP-World have recently entered into MoU at World Government Summit held at Dubai (U.A.E) in February, 2017 to explore opportunities to develop trade infrastructure in the Jammu & Kashmir.
“In the follow-up discussions held to the above mentioned MoU between the State Government and DP World, it has been agreed to develop a multi-modal logistics park and hub in Jammu, comprising Private Freight Terminal (PFT), Inland Container Depot (ICD), Warehouses and specialized storage solutions with broad gauge rail and national highway, that will encourage inter-modal transfer of containers, bulk and break-bulk cargo, and later on in Kashmir Valley,” the document reads.
“A 2,50,000 sft A Grade warehousing space with mechanized handling is proposed which will double the warehousing space in Jammu. A separate space for bulk and pelletized cargo, polluting and non-polluting cargo is proposed,” the document says.
“Provide logistics in a responsive and responsible manner to enable the seekers to obtain the services they require in time and with value for money. Review regularly the way and cost effectiveness of delivering our services so that they adopt the industries’ best practices and advances in technology while remaining competitive amongst those being provided in the market,” it says.
“Improve continuously performance in respect of environmental protection in the delivery of services, and provide a healthy and safe working environment to the people engaged in the field of logistics industry,” it reads. |
