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Though on one side cargo is growing CONCOR ICDs of central region has another challenge to face which is battling with road freight
Q Please tell us briefly about Concor central region?
The central region consists of ICD Nagpur, ICD Bhusawal, combined rail linked terminal at Maliwada near Daulatabad railway station, Mandideep Container Terminal, and Raipur. Major volume of cargo is handled at Nagpur where an average of two rakes are loaded per day. If EXIM market conditions improve, we can get cargo of about 100 rakes per month at the ICD. A new ICD is being developed near Mihan on the outskirts of Nagpur, and another one is under construction at Naya Raipur, which would double our capacity. Rice is the major commodity shipped from ICD Nagpur and Raipur which used to be exported through JN Port but now majority of it from Raipur is shipped from Visakha Container Terminal. Yarn is the major export commodity from Mandideep, and an average 15 rakes are moved from the ICD, and it is one of the fastest growing ICDs for Concor. Client base is limited at Bhusawal and Jain Irrigation is a major exporter from the region. Aurangabad has good potential but due to its proximity to JN Port, majority of consignments are moved by road. We have also started rail movement of cargo from Aurangabad and Bhusawal, and shipment of food grain for Food Corporation of India has already started from Raipur to Aurangabad. It will help to bring down pilferage.
Q What is the reason for exporters preferring Visakhapatnam over Nhava Sheva?
Transportation cost by road is lower from Raipur to Visakhapatnam, due to which cargo movement from Raipur to JN Port has come down significantly. We have revised our tariff for Raipur to JN Port to gain back some cargo. Rice exporters are shipping their cargo through Visakha Container Terminal due to proximity and lower freight cost by road. Road freight has a distinct advantage over rail at Raipur. Large base of our customers prefer JN Port. We are actively working for Mundra as an alternate port for EXIM cargo from Bhopal. Some shipping lines have also expressed interest to move cargo from Nagpur to Krishnapatnam Port, and we are hopeful to start a monthly rail service soon.
Q Do you think still there is growth potential at Mihan?
Mihan is a futuristic project and we are developing a new ICD spread over 150 acres there with rail connectivity to handle cargo from Mihan and Butibori.The existing ICD inside the Nagpur city is congested.
Q A lot of import cargo goes to north India but shipping lines suffer loss to bring back empties. Can Concor reposition empties?
We have approached shipping lines for cabotage movement of empty container from northern India. Shipping lines ensure availability of empties for EXIM cargo and Concor avails empties for domestic cargo. Hence, we keep tracking demand for empties at various locations, and accordingly we reallocate containers.
Q How do you counter slowdown in EXIM cargo?
We have changed our focus as domestic movement of cargo has increased. Cement transport from Chandia in Bilaspur division, and white cement transport from Rajasthan to Nagpur and Ranchi has increased. The volume is roughly about 10 rakes per month. Though 90 containers are required to run a rake but as per the demand we offer flexible rake services with about 50-60 containers from Bhopal to JN Port.
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