Coastal connectivity, digital technology will be next growth phase for Indian ports: Railway Board official
Railway and port officials at a conference in Visakhapatnam highlighted coastal connectivity and digital integration as the next phase of growth for Indian ports. The state of Andhra Pradesh is investing heavily in logistics infrastructure to transform its coastline into a major trade hub.
Why it matters
Improving port-to-hinterland logistics is critical for India's goal of increasing cargo capacity and boosting international trade competitiveness.
Coastal connectivity and digital technology are set to drive the next big growth phase for Indian ports, top officials said at the second CII Conference on Ports and Logistics held in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
Speaking at the event themed “The Visakhapatnam Pivot – Building an Integrated East Coast Logistics Corridor”, Railway Board Additional Member (Traffic) Devendra Kumar called ports the “gates to prosperity”, He emphasised that smooth railway links between sea ports, factories, and interior markets are vital to handling growing cargo volumes.
To speed up operations, the Ministry of Railways is rolling out freight reforms, expanding track capacity, and considering limited access to its digital tracking systems for better cargo visibility. Mr. Kumar noted that setting up the new South Coast Railway Zone headquarters in Visakhapatnam will solve local supply chain bottlenecks much faster, especially for cargo moving from mineral-rich states like Odisha and Jharkhand.
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