Lucknow: In a bid to significantly improve export logistics and strengthen outbound shipments from eastern parts of the state, the UP govt has urged the Centre to revive the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Madhosingh in Bhadohi district.The proposal was submitted by industrial development minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi at the Board of Trade meeting chaired by Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal, held in New Delhi last week.“Reopening the ICD would provide exporters with better connectivity, reduce logistics costs and improve the competitiveness of products from the region in global markets,” Nandi told TOI on Wednesday.The demand assumes significance as Bhadohi, known globally for its hand-knotted carpets, is one of the state’s largest export hubs.Industry stakeholders have long argued that the absence of a functional inland container depot increases transportation costs and turnaround time for export consignments.Nandi said that reviving the facility would benefit exporters across eastern Uttar Pradesh by providing easier access to containerised cargo movement and reducing dependence on distant logistics hubs.“Strengthening logistics infrastructure is essential if UP is to sustain its export growth and improve ease of doing business for exporters,” he said.The minister also highlighted the state’s export performance, noting that exports have grown from around Rs 88,000 crore to more than Rs 2 lakh crore in recent years.He attributed the growth to initiatives such as the Export Promotion Bureau, district export promotion committees across all 75 districts, and the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.The proposal to restart the Bhadohi ICD formed part of a broader set of recommendations aimed at addressing exporter concerns amid the West Asia crisis and enhancing Uttar Pradesh’s export ecosystem, including expanding NABL-certified testing laboratories, providing relief to exporters affected by rising freight charges due to the West Asia crisis, and introducing separate HSN codes for natural and synthetic mentha products.
