By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Bihar’s first dry port and Inland Container Depot (ICD) was inaugurated on Monday by the state’s Industry Minister, Nitish Mishra. Located in Bihta, Patna district, this facility marks a significant milestone for the state’s industrial sector. During the inauguration, the Industry Minister flagged off the first container train from the depot, sending the initial consignment of products to Russia, a historic event as it will be the first export consignment recorded directly under Bihar’s name.
The event was attended by key officials, including Bandana Preyasi, Secretary of the Department, and senior representatives from the East Central Railway, including the DRM.
Minister Nitish Mishra highlighted the significance of this development, stating that a new era has begun for Bihar’s industrial sector. Exports from the state to international markets will now be counted as Bihar’s own, which will boost the state’s export figures and benefit local investors. The depot will simplify the process of sending products both abroad and within India. He also mentioned that the Inland Container Depot in Bihta has been approved by the Finance Ministry and the Revenue Department of the Government of India.
According to official data, Bihar exported goods worth Rs 20,000 crore in the financial year 2022-23. The establishment of the ICD is expected to further boost exports, strengthening Bihar’s economy. Products from Bihar will now have direct connectivity to major ports, including Haldia in West Bengal, Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Chennai, Mundra in Gujarat, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Mumbai.
This dry port and ICD will foster industrial activities through multimodal transportation, providing storage, customs services, a computerised cargo tracking system, packaging, and transportation services all in one location. The rail-linked facility will ease the movement of EXIM (export-import) cargo between Bihar and key international and domestic markets, positioning Bihar as a cutting-edge logistics hub for eastern India.
