Maharashtra to have 5-6 Logistics Parks, says Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

MUMBAI: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said recently that five to six logistics parks will be set up in Maharashtra on behalfofhisMinistry.

Minister informed that 5-6 logistics parks would be set up in Maharashtra on behalf of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He informed that the work of construction of dry ports at Jalna and Wardha in the state hasbeencompletedandnowtheworkof construction of similar dry ports in NashikandPuneisbeingundertaken.

Speaking about logistic parks in the Country, he said that with the help of newly developed infrastructure, we will able to reduce Agarbatti imports from

China and instead use the indigenously developedsticksfromAssam.

The Minister was speaking at the 11th Biennial International Conference onPorts,ShippingandLogistics.

Gadkari said passenger water transport between Mumbai and Goa would be a game-changer in the region as it is very cost-effective compared to road and rail transport. The cost of transport would further come down if alternativefuelsareused,hesaid. Govt ‘working to reduce logistics cost to 9% by 2024’

The Union Government has started work on 36 green highway projects, and it is paying more than the market value as compensation for land acquired for them, he claimed. That’s why land acquisition is no longer a problem when itcomestohighwayprojects,hesaid.

“We are working to reduce logistics costto9%by2024. Itiscurrently14-16%. Better roads and lower logistics costs will help in enhancement of trade businessandindustry,”Gadkarisaid.