PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
A long-standing demand of hundreds of industries operating in the Haridwar-Luxor industrial area may receive a boost with the Centre having given in-principle approval for including three locations in Haridwar-Laksar area—Pathri, Laksar, and Iqbalpur—under the ‘Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal’ policy in Uttarakhand.
In response to a question raised in Parliament by the Member of Parliament from Haridwar and former chief minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat, the Central Government has clarified this move.
In a written reply, the Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting and Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnav informed that the “Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal” policy is in place to promote the establishment of cargo terminals through private investment. To date, 124 terminals (approximately 198 million tonnes annual capacity) have been commissioned across the country and in-principle approval has been granted for 280 additional locations.
The proposed terminals in the Haridwar-Laksar area include Pathri – 1 full rake container siding (to facilitate container traffic), Laksar – 3 full rake container sidings (to facilitate container traffic) and Iqbalpur – 2 full rake lines (to handle inward clinker and outward bagged cement).
He also stated that agencies must complete construction within 24 months of receiving final approval. Terminals are selected based on industry demand, potential cargo traffic, available rail infrastructure and the region’s overall logistics capacity.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnav, Rawat said that under PM’s leadership, a modern logistics network is being built in the country through ‘Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti’, which will now directly benefit the Haridwar-Laksar industrial region.
“The establishment of these cargo terminals will provide industries with affordable, fast and environmentally friendly transportation which will reduce production costs, boost exports and create new employment opportunities for local youth,” he said and added that this move is an important step toward strengthening Uttarakhand as an industrial and logistics hub.
