DP World Launches New EXIM Rail Service Linking Madhya Pradesh to Nhava Sheva
Bhopal: DP World has launched a new export-import (EXIM) rail service connecting Powarkheda in Madhya Pradesh to the Nhava Sheva container terminal in Mumbai, significantly enhancing the state’s direct connectivity to global and domestic markets. The twice-weekly service operates from DP World’s Multimodal Logistics Hub at Powarkheda and is designed to accelerate cargo movement while cutting logistics costs and carbon emissions.
The Powarkheda Logistics Composite Hub offers an integrated ecosystem, including compliant warehouses, an inland container yard, and a dedicated rail zone enabling direct loading and unloading of cargo from trains. The hub houses a container repair facility—particularly useful for rice and garment cargo—and a specialised area for processing and manufacturing agricultural products. Its modern cold storage infrastructure, equipped with temperature-controlled modules, supports perishables, pharmaceuticals, and agri-commodities.
With warehousing, value-added services, cold storage, container handling, and rail connectivity all available at a single point, the Powarkheda facility ensures faster turnaround, reduced delays, improved coordination, and lower overall logistics costs—all while offering reliable access to gateway ports.
Adhendru Jain, Vice President, Rail and Inland Terminals, DP World Subcontinent, said:
“Our Powarkheda hub is a game-changer for customers, particularly in the agri-processing and food sectors. By integrating warehousing, cold storage, and bonded logistics with multimodal connectivity, we enable faster and more efficient EXIM and domestic cargo movement. We currently run two weekly services to Nhava Sheva and expect to scale up to daily operations as demand rises. This hub strengthens supply chain resilience and supports sustainability, with the potential to cut emissions by nearly 70% compared with road transport.”
Madhya Pradesh’s strategic location, supported by its Logistics Policy 2025, is positioning the state as an emerging trade and manufacturing hub. In FY 2024–25, the sector contributed nearly 19% to the state’s GSDP. The new rail service ensures a three-day transit time from key industrial clusters—Mandideep, Bhopal, Itarsi, Narmadapuram (Hoshangabad), Pipariya, Raisen, and Sehore—to India’s busiest container port.
Industries in agri-processing, chemicals, food, steel, textiles, stone, timber, and cement stand to benefit from improved reliability, customs-bonded warehousing, regulatory support, and timely domestic and export shipments. The facility is supported by rail capacity exceeding 1,400 TEUs per month, with the flexibility to scale up based on rising volumes.
DP World’s inland logistics network in India includes more than 50 EXIM and domestic rail routes, over 100 owned container rakes and SFTO rakes, and more than 16,000 owned containers and trailers for last-mile connectivity. With terminals in Pali, Modinagar, Panipat, Hazira, Hindaun, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad, DP World continues to play a pivotal role in transforming India’s logistics landscape and expanding market access for customers.