Bidding for the proposed Chennai Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) closed on August 10. Bids will be evaluated for this first MMLP under the Bharatmala programme, awarded later this month, as per reports. After the award of the project, the private sector will invest around ₹7.83 billion for the Chennai MMLP. Bids for the Nagpur and Bengaluru MMLPs are expected to close soon too. The Bengaluru MMLP will require an investment of Rs 9.36 billion from the private sector and will be awarded in September. The Nagpur MMLP will need a private sector investment of Rs 5.99 billion and is expected to be awarded in October.
The bidders will be competing on a minimum-guarantee revenue share. A higher revenue commitment to NHLML boosts a bidder’s prospects of getting an MMLP project. This revenue will be payable three years after the award of the project.
In all, National Highways Logistics Management (NHLML) is developing 35 logistic parks under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. It is estimated that the total investment in MMLPs will be about ₹70,000 crore. The government and its arms will invest ₹23,000 crore, while developers that are awarded the projects will spend Rs 46,000 crore.
Feasibility studies are in progress at Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Coimbatore. It is also being initiated at Anantapur, Visakhapatnam, Jammu, Kanpur, and Bikdin/Jalna. At peak capacity, the MMLPs are estimated to handle 700 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo.
NHLML shall ensure that a minimum four-lane paved road is provided to the MMLP within two years from the appointed date. Rail connectivity in the form of a single line rail siding to the MMLP is to be provided within four years.
