Varanasi to get India’s 1st freight village

Jun 01, 2017: The plan to set up country's first 'freight village', spread over around 100 acres in Varanasi, is attracting major players including Dubai Port World and IL&FS.

The village would be close to the upcoming multi-mode terminal along the Ganga.

According to reports, Sharaf Group of Abu Dhabi, a global player in shipping, logistics and supply chain is also keen on the project. They added that the big facility will not only bring investment but also generate jobs.

A 'Freight Village' is a specialised industrial estate which attracts companies that require logistics services and can cluster to improve their competitiveness. This will allow relocation of retailers, warehouse operators and logistics service providers supplying the regional FMCG market. Due to its proximity to the main city, it will serve as a distribution centre and as a point of transfer between long distance transport by truck, rail and waterway and short distance distribution with delivery vans. 'Freight Village' includes an inter-modal terminal, which facilitates integration between different modes of transport.

The World Bank has reportedly pushing to put in place the project which will provide connectivity to the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, the country's longest waterway, and the national highway as well.