JNPA Reviews Dedicated Freight Corridor Rail Links to Speed Container Evacuation from Mumbai Port

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) Chairman Gaurav Dayal and Deputy Chairman Ravish Singh led senior port officials on an inspection of railway infrastructure along the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) on August 30, assessing how the Kharbhav and New Nilanje railway stations and the Bhiwandi Warehousing Hub could be integrated into the port's freight network, according to Indian trade and business press.

The visit forms part of JNPA's push, under the government's PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, to shift a greater share of container traffic from road to the Dedicated Freight Corridor, reducing logistics costs, turnaround times and dependence on road transport. Officials said integrating Kharbhav into JNPA's network would speed the movement of containerised cargo to distribution centres in Bhiwandi, a major inland logistics hub outside Mumbai.

"Transitioning a higher share of container traffic from road to rail is crucial for reducing logistics costs and turnaround times," Deputy Chairman Ravish Singh said, according to reports. Chairman Dayal framed the initiative as part of an effort to build "faster, seamless and sustainable freight routes."

JNPA's own press release confirms the visit and both officials' quotes, framing the initiative as part of the port authority's broader mandate under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. No rupee figures or implementation timeline for integrating the two stations into JNPA's network were disclosed.