The 8.86km rail corridor in Kochi, featuring India’s second-longest railway bridge, has suffered from prolonged underutilisation since its launch in 2011. “Kochi: The container movement by rail to Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) is slowly picking up. In fact, not a single train has plied to ICTT in the last three years.
a large number of business enterprises opt for Mumbai or Chennai ports due to the assured vessel connectivity factor While transporting through Cochin port is cheaper.
They have so far used the ports in Tamil Nadu, and discussions are on to shift the movement through Cochin Port,” a senior official said. Recently, we could load four full rakes (four trains) for BPCL,” the official said. We’ve also started a new terminal at Mysuru,” said Hari V S, terminal manager, Vallarpadam container freight station. Govt should take initiative to boost the rail traffic by reducing the logistics cost,” said Varghese K George, president, Kerala Steamer Agents Association. “The new port call expands our network and gives customers greater choice and improved reach to key markets in the Middle East,” said Ravinder Johal, COO ports & terminals, DP World Cochin, which operates the Cochin port.
“Container Corporation of India Ltd, a subsidiary of railways, has resumed container freight services. Besides, we’ve recently received an inward consignment of car units for export. We’re in talks with the company for permanent movement through rail. “In recent months, there have been rail traffic movements to northern hinterlands. We are extending return domestic cargo transport services, utilising empty containers, from Vallarpadam to destinations like Delhi and Calcutta (major), Jharkhand, Kanpur, Ahmedabad, Madhya Pradesh, Nagpur, Hyderabad and Chennai, besides Bengaluru. Meanwhile, experts pointed out international vessel connectivity as a key factor. “If that improves, then the business volumes will go up automatically. Now they have started a ship service.