DP World Connects Madhya Pradesh to Global Trade with New EXIM Rail Link to Nhava Shev
Powarkheda hub emerges as a logistics gateway for central India, cutting transit time, costs, and emissions
Maritime News, Mumbai / Bhopal, India : In a significant boost to India’s inland-to-port connectivity, DP World has launched a new export–import (EXIM) rail service linking Powarkheda in Madhya Pradesh directly with Nhava Sheva (JNPA), the country’s largest container gateway. The twice-weekly service is expected to transform how central India’s industrial and agricultural cargo accesses global markets—faster, cleaner, and with greater reliability.
The service originates from DP World’s Multimodal Logistics Hub at Powarkheda, a strategically located inland facility that brings rail, warehousing, cold chain, and value-added services under one roof. By enabling cargo to move seamlessly from factory gate to port via rail, DP World is reducing dependence on long-haul trucking while aligning with India’s push for greener, multimodal logistics.
Why Powarkheda Matters
Located near key production clusters such as Mandideep, Bhopal, Itarsi, Narmadapuram, Pipariya, Raisen, and Sehore, Powarkheda sits at the heart of Madhya Pradesh’s industrial and agri-processing belt. The new rail service ensures a three-day transit window from these inland centres to Nhava Sheva—significantly improving export competitiveness for time- and temperature-sensitive cargo.
The integrated facility offers:
- Inland Container Yard (ICD) with direct rail handling
- Compliant warehousing and bonded logistics
- Container repair facilities tailored for rice and garment exports
- Modern cold storage with temperature-controlled modules
- Dedicated zones for agricultural processing and light manufacturing
This “single-location” model allows exporters to store, process, customs-clear, and rail cargo to port without fragmentation—reducing delays and logistics costs.
Green Logistics at Scale
According to DP World, rail-based evacuation from Powarkheda has the potential to cut carbon emissions by nearly 70% compared to road transport, a key consideration as Indian supply chains come under increasing pressure to decarbonise.
“Our Powarkheda hub is a game-changer, especially for agri-processing and food sectors,” said Adhendru Jain, Vice President – Rail & Inland Terminals, DP World Subcontinent.
“Multimodal connectivity significantly cuts transit times and boosts supply chain resilience. We currently operate two services a week to Nhava Sheva and expect to scale up to daily services based on demand.”
Linking State Policy with Port-Led Growth
Madhya Pradesh has been positioning itself as a logistics and manufacturing hub under its Logistics Policy 2025, with the sector contributing nearly 19% of the state’s GSDP in FY 2024–25. The new DP World rail link complements this policy by tying inland growth directly to India’s maritime trade gateways.
For Nhava Sheva, the service strengthens its hinterland reach deeper into central India—an increasingly critical factor as ports compete not just on quay-side efficiency but on end-to-end logistics integration.
Who Benefits
The rail service is designed to support a broad mix of industries, including:
- Agri-processing and food products
- Chemicals and pharmaceuticals
- Steel, cement, stone, timber
- Textiles and garments
With rail capacity exceeding 1,400 TEUs per month, scalable upward, exporters gain predictable schedules, customs-enabled storage, and smoother access to international shipping lines calling at Nhava Sheva.
Part of a Bigger Inland Strategy
Powarkheda is one node in DP World’s expanding inland logistics network in India, which now includes:
- 50+ EXIM and domestic rail routes
- 100+ owned and SFTO container rakes
- 16,000+ containers and trailers
- Rail terminals at Pali, Modinagar, Panipat, Hazira, Hindaun, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, among others
Together, these assets underline a clear strategy: shifting Indian trade from fragmented, road-heavy movement toward integrated rail–port logistics.
The Bigger Picture
As India seeks to reduce logistics costs, improve export competitiveness, and cut emissions, projects like the Powarkheda–Nhava Sheva EXIM rail service highlight how private logistics players are quietly reshaping the country’s maritime supply chains from the hinterland outward.
For Madhya Pradesh, it means shorter distances to the sea.
For Nhava Sheva, it means a stronger, cleaner hinterland.
And for Indian exporters, it means global markets are now just one rail journey away.
