SHIPPING S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 CARGOTALK 3

‘DICT fulfills long-awaited need for an ICD’

QHow would the DelhiInternational

Container Terminal(DICT) enable efficiencyand offer tariffadvantages to the EXIMand domestic cargofraternity in NCR?

Continued commitment to theEXIM trade and mission to providemost innovative shipping solutions atNCR led to the establishment of theDelhi International Cargo Terminal(an Inland Container Depot (ICD) atSonepat, NCR region). The rail-linked

inland container terminal has beenstrategically chosen at Sonepat dueto its adequate access to customers,skilled work force, round-the-clockoperation as well as transportationservices and environmental benefits.DICT offers great value to the EXIMtrade in terms of custom freight station activities, empty containersstorage park, Institute of InternationalContainer Lessors standard mainte-nance and repair facilities, interna-tionally recognised surveyors, ware-housing facilities, bonded storagefacilities, specialised area for haz-ardous and scrap cargo, high valuecargo handling, dedicated garmenton hangers room, 24 hours operationability, 96 reefer plug points to handlereefer container volume, over 75 fleetof trailers, in-facility nationalised bank,business centre, modern officespaces, dedicated container trainoperations with reliable scheduledservices to the gateway connectivityand non-traffic restricted hours.

QTell us about thewarehouse facilities

and the number of trainhandling lines there.

DICT currently has warehousespace of 6,000 sqm. This comprisesbonded as well as garment of hang-er, apart from export and import gen-

eral warehouse space. The facilityhas equipments for two handlinglines along with two receive and dis-

patch ‘Pre-Trip’ Inspection (PTI) lines,one sick line to effectively cater toover one million TEUs throughput inthe terminal. DICT has also firmed upmoves to establish liquid farms, grainsilos and additional two handlinglines in the premises. Additionalwarehouse space of 3,000 sq ft hasbeen set aside for fertilizers.

QHas DICT been ableto attract the kind

and volume of cargo ithad hoped for?

Since its commission eightmonths ago, DICT has seen emphatic growth, recording over1,500 TEUs in the first month and ithas been growing steadily. DICT is also continuing to improve itshandling capabilities to handle overfive million TEUs within next fiveyears by improving operations withstrategic investments in infrastruc-ture, human resources, land acquisition, information technology,

cargo handling equipment and support services.

QPlease elaborate onthe facilities for dry

vans and reefercontainers in DICT.

DICT has over 75 fleet of con-tainer trailers to cater to the dry con-tainer movements and has alsoinvested in reefer trailers fitted withgenerator sets. The terminal has 96plug points to cater to reefer volumes.DICT also has 16 mobile plug pointsto offer PTI services. DICT isequipped to handle the potential ofNCR in the reefer container segment.

Additionally, there are two powerpacks available for the reefers ontrain movement.

QTell us about portconnectivity and the

number of weeklyservices to each port.

DICT has six trains deployed inthe sector. Currently DICT is offeringthree services a week to Mundra andPipavav. Orders for six additional rakeshave also been placed.

QIs the companyidentifying new

terminals along theWestern and EasternDFCs?

We will continue to seek, to oper-ate new or common user facilities andterminals to enable cargo movementsin the country. The focus is not limited toeastern or western DFC corridors.

QWould moving theICDs out of the Delhi

region facilitate trade forthe EXIM community?

Of the one lakh trucks thatarrive in Delhi daily, substantial fleetarrives at the ICD in Delhi to deliverand pick the container and cargoarriving by rail. There is statisticaldata to prove that the large amountof cargo being handled at the ICD in Delhi, which is moving to other locations.

Apart from the logistics delaysin the EXIM movements due to congestion arising out of trailer andtruck movement, the bigger problemlies in the form of huge traffic issuesfor rest of the residents along withpollution and health hazards. Withthe ICDs moving to non-residentialareas, the overall movementbecomes faster and cheaper.

CT BUREAU

Delhi International Cargo Terminal, an initiative of JM Baxi Group, was developed with a focus on efficiency,reliability, cost level, safety, IT integration and environmental standards. Kumar Pulkeshin, Senior GeneralManager – Marketing & Sales, International Cargo Terminals & Rail Infrastructure gets candid about the facilitiesavailable at their new ICD at Sonepat and advantages for the EXIM and domestic cargo community. Excerpts:

Kumar PulkeshinSenior General Manager – Marketing & SalesInternational Cargo Terminals & Rail Infrastructure Highlights:

� DICT currently has warehouse spaceof 6,000 sqm

� DICT has over 75 fleet of containertrailers to cater to dry containermovements

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