Tiruchi MP Seeks Dry Port to Boost Exports
PORTS & SHIPPING

Tiruchi MP Seeks Dry Port to Boost Exports

Tiruchi Member of Parliament Durai Vaiko has urged the Union government to establish an inland container depot (dry port) in Tiruchi, addressing a long-standing demand of local trade and industry.
Mr Vaiko met Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi on Monday to press the request. In his representation, he highlighted Tiruchi’s role as a key industrial and trade hub in Tamil Nadu, serving as an “export centre” for engineering equipment, spare parts, fabricated materials, food products, millets, and perishables including vegetables and fruits.
According to the National Horticultural Database 2023–24, Tiruchi produced 112.62 million tonnes of fruits and 204.96 million tonnes of vegetables. Much of this produce is exported to Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Qatar, and the UAE via Tiruchi International Airport, while value-added agricultural and engineering products are transported by road to distant sea ports in Chennai, Thoothukudi, and Kochi.
Currently, 40–50 containers of 25 tonnes each are transported monthly by road from Tiruchi to these ports. Exporters face high transport and handling costs as well as lengthy port formalities. A local dry port would allow exporters to complete documentation and procedures within Tiruchi itself, significantly cutting costs and saving time, Mr Vaiko argued.
Trade bodies have repeatedly noted Tiruchi’s growing export volumes, stressing that a dry port would strengthen logistics infrastructure, attract new investments, and support sustained export growth. Tiruchi’s central location with strong air, road, and rail links makes it an ideal site.
Mr Vaiko suggested that the 100 acres required for the project could be allocated within the SIPCOT Industrial Park at Manapparai or other highway-connected sites. He urged the Centre to move swiftly, emphasising that such a facility would benefit the regional economy and enhance India’s overall export capacity. 

Tiruchi Member of Parliament Durai Vaiko has urged the Union government to establish an inland container depot (dry port) in Tiruchi, addressing a long-standing demand of local trade and industry.Mr Vaiko met Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi on Monday to press the request. In his representation, he highlighted Tiruchi’s role as a key industrial and trade hub in Tamil Nadu, serving as an “export centre” for engineering equipment, spare parts, fabricated materials, food products, millets, and perishables including vegetables and fruits.According to the National Horticultural Database 2023–24, Tiruchi produced 112.62 million tonnes of fruits and 204.96 million tonnes of vegetables. Much of this produce is exported to Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Qatar, and the UAE via Tiruchi International Airport, while value-added agricultural and engineering products are transported by road to distant sea ports in Chennai, Thoothukudi, and Kochi.Currently, 40–50 containers of 25 tonnes each are transported monthly by road from Tiruchi to these ports. Exporters face high transport and handling costs as well as lengthy port formalities. A local dry port would allow exporters to complete documentation and procedures within Tiruchi itself, significantly cutting costs and saving time, Mr Vaiko argued.Trade bodies have repeatedly noted Tiruchi’s growing export volumes, stressing that a dry port would strengthen logistics infrastructure, attract new investments, and support sustained export growth. Tiruchi’s central location with strong air, road, and rail links makes it an ideal site.Mr Vaiko suggested that the 100 acres required for the project could be allocated within the SIPCOT Industrial Park at Manapparai or other highway-connected sites. He urged the Centre to move swiftly, emphasising that such a facility would benefit the regional economy and enhance India’s overall export capacity. 

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Indian REITs Association Joins Global REIT Alliance

The Indian REITs Association (IRA) has become a member of the Global REIT Alliance, a coalition representing the global Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) sector. The alliance, launched at the European Public Real Estate Association’s 2025 ReThink conference in Stockholm, aims to promote cross-border cooperation, policy dialogue, and market standardisation for the growth of REITs as an investment asset class.The Global REIT Alliance, which includes members from 24 countries, focuses on promoting global awareness of securitised real estate, supporting sustainable investment, providing indust..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Vande Bharat May Soon Connect Chennai and Rameswaram

Southern Railway plans to introduce a Vande Bharat Express between Chennai and Rameswaram following the completion of electrification on the 53-km Ramanathapuram–Rameswaram section.A proposal has been submitted to the Railway Board to operate the new daytime service from either Chennai Egmore or Tambaram, aiming to ease congestion on existing overnight trains along the 600–660 km route.Officials noted that while the section is cleared for electric locomotives, a 220-metre gap near Uchipuli will undergo trials before the Vande Bharat is introduced. The final route will consider travel time,..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

RITES Partners with Etihad Rail to Boost Infrastructure Collaboration

RITES, a leading transport infrastructure consultancy and engineering firm, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UAE-based Etihad Rail to enhance business collaboration with its subsidiary, National Infrastructure Construction Company (NICC).The partnership aims to combine RITES’ five decades of expertise in consultancy, transport infrastructure, and engineering with NICC’s execution capabilities, creating synergies for infrastructure projects across the UAE and other regions.The MoU was signed by HE Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, and Rahul Mithal, Chairman and Managing Di..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?