CARGOCONNECT-APRIL2026 - Flipbook - Page 90
Jaigad Port opens
up opportunities for
boosting Konkan’s
agri-logistics network
Assam–West Bengal projects signal new
momentum for regional logistics growth
I
n a significant push to
strengthen eastern India’s
logistics backbone, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and launched a series
of infrastructure projects across
Assam and West Bengal.
In Assam, the PM inaugurated a `180-crore elevated
corridor linking Pandu Port to
National Highway 27, addressing
a long-standing last-mile connectivity challenge between inland
waterways and road logistics.
The corridor forms part of a
broader `526-crore package of
inland waterways initiatives
along the Brahmaputra River
under National Waterway 2, and
is expected to streamline cargo
evacuation from river terminals
while improving multimodal
e昀케ciency for regional trade.
Complementing this momentum, a major infrastructure
package worth `18,700 crore was
unveiled in Kolkata to strengthen
transport and logistics networks
across West Bengal. Key project
highlights include the development of the Kharagpur–Moregram Expressway, the Dubrajpur
Bypass, and new bridges over
the Kangsabati River and Shilabati River—set to signi昀椀cantly
enhance intra-state freight mobility and regional connectivity. The
commissioning of the Automatic
Block Signalling System on the
Kalaikunda–Kanimahuli rail section and the upgradation of six
railway stations under the Amrit
Bharat Station Scheme further
underline the focus on modernising rail infrastructure. Additionally, increased mechanisation
at the Haldia Dock Complex is
expected to accelerate cargo
handling, expanding the port’s
throughput capacity.
AAI reports steady rise in air freight volumes
T
he Airports Authority of
India (AAI) has recorded
a 3.5% year-on-year
increase in air freight movement,
signalling steady expansion in
India’s air cargo operations and
reinforcing the sector’s growing
role in enabling time-sensitive
domestic and international trade
昀氀ows. The uptick re昀氀ects sustained demand from shippers
increasingly relying on faster,
more reliable logistics solutions
as supply chains continue to
diversify and strengthen.
Major cargo gateways
including Mumbai, Delhi, and
Chennai emerged as
key contributors to this
growth, underlining the
strategic importance of
metro airports in anchoring India’s air logistics
backbone. High-value
and time-critical segments
such as pharmaceuticals,
e-commerce shipments, and perishables continue to be among
the principal drivers supporting
this upward trajectory.
Railways sanctions `872 cr infra projects in
Rajasthan, Kerala and West Bengal
he Ministry of Railways has
sanctioned multiple infrastructure projects worth
`872 crore across Rajasthan,
Kerala and West Bengal. These rail
projects are aimed at modernising
coaching maintenance facilities,
decongesting high-density corridors, and increasing freight
capacity. A coach maintenance
T
90 | CARGOCONNECT APRIL 2026
facility will be developed at Shri
Ganganagar Station in Rajasthan under Phase-I at a cost of
`174.2644 crore. The augmentation of Coaching Maintenance
Facilities at Lalgarh in Rajasthan
will be developed under Phase-II
at a cost of `139.6820 crore, while
the 21.1 km long Turavur–Mararikulam Doubling project in Kerala
will be completed at an estimated
cost of `450.59 crore. The Railways
Ministry also sanctioned construction of the 4.75-km Kalipahari
Bypass Line in West Bengal at
a cost of `107.1 crore. This new
rail line will provide direct connectivity between South Eastern
Railway and Eastern Railway on
completion.
emergence of Jaigad Port
Tforheasmangoes
a new export gateway
and cashews
is poised to transform the
agricultural logistics landscape
of India’s Konkan region.
Located on the Konkan coast
in Maharashtra, and operated
by JSW Infrastructure, this
deep-water, all-weather port
began operations in 2009, and
currently operates seven berths
with a cargo handling capacity
of around 55 million tonnes per
year. Traditionally handling bulk
commodities such as coal and
sugar, the port is now expanding
into agricultural exports as part
of a broader effort to strengthen
regional supply chains. With new
export facilitation infrastructure
now operational, growers,
processors and exporters are set
to benefit from reduced logistics
costs, shorter transit times and
improved access to international
markets.
India Post rolls out
next-day guaranteed
delivery in six cities
Department of Posts has
TPosthelaunched
a 24-hour Speed
service with next-day guaranteed delivery for urgent and
time-sensitive consignments.
In the first phase, the service
will be available across Delhi,
Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Alongside
this, 24 and 48 Speed Post
services will provide assured
D+1 and D+2 delivery timelines,
enabled through dedicated
processing windows and priority
air transmission. The services
will also feature OTP-based
secure delivery, end-to-end
tracking with SMS alerts, BNPL
facility for business customers,
free pickup for bulk bookings,
API integration and centralised
billing, along with a money-back
guarantee in case of delay.
