Bharatmala Pariyojana: Trilateral MoU Inked To Build Multi-Modal Logistics Parks

The tripartite agreement for the creation of contemporary Multi Modal Logistics Parks (MMLP) under Bharatmala Pariyojna was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, and Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways Gen (Retd) VK Singh.

National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) inked the trilateral agreement , the Ministry of Roads and Highways said in a statement.

The goal is to consolidate freight centrally and lower logistics spending from 14 per cent of GDP to less than 10 per cent, in line with international standards.

MMLPs envisaged acting as world-class stations for cargo movement with roadways, railways, and inland waterways, access

Speaking on occasion, Nitin Gadkari expressed his joy at being there to sign the MoU because it will enable a smooth mode shift.

MMLPs will ensure that cargo is switched/shifted between waterways, dedicated freight corridors, and road transport. He stated that this is how Gati Shakti is constructing the Nation.

The MMLP will be a freight handling facility with access by rail and road that includes warehouses, cold storage, facilities for mechanised material handling, container terminals, cargo terminals (bulk, break-bulk), warehouses, and value-added services like customs clearance with bonded storage yards, quarantine zones, testing facilities, and warehousing management services, among other facilities.

The MMLP, developed according to a "Hub and Spoke" model, will combine several forms of freight transportation via inland waterways, railroads, and highways. The agreement highlights the three organisations' cooperation and collaboration concept to promote efficiency in logistical movement within the Nation.

The MMLP project is on track to create an innovative, large-scale facility for warehousing various commodities. It will serve as a one-stop shop for all services linked to cargo movements, such as storage, customs clearance, parking, and truck repair.

The modern freight management system's technology-driven implementation will be the main emphasis of the MMLPs. These initiatives offer various value-added services, such as packing, repackaging, and labelling.