February 15, 2002
'23'DIFFERENT MODES OF TRANSPORT SHOULD BE COMPLEMENTARY TO EACH OTHER – CHAIRMAN RAILWAY BOARD
CONCOR HOLDS SYMPOSIUM ON INLAND CONNECTIVITY
Apart from enhanced investment on development of transport infrastructure different modes of transport should be complementary to one another rather than being competitive. This is in the over all interest of boosting both domestic and international trade, said Chairman Railway Board Shri R.N.Malhotra here today.
Inaugurating a symposium "Conquest 2002 – The Hinterland Connection" organised by the Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR) Shri Malhotra said that considering the trade potential between India and its neighbouring countries, especially China, we need to focus on developing well-integrated multi-modal transport infrastructure. Responding to the demands of export-import sector for stepped up rail connectivity to ports the Chairman Railway Board said that Indian Railways will be extending the best possible assistance in facilitating trade activities. Touching upon the success story of CONCOR Shri Malhotra said that the Corporation with 46 well-knit terminals spread over the entire country, is gearing up to provide hinterland connectivity in a big way.
In his welcome address Shri A.K. Kohli, Managing Director, CONCOR said that the Corporation has plans to set up its activity and provide improved transit times to trade to and from neighbouring countries. It is exploring the possibility of running a feeder service to Bangladesh which would decongest the existing rail/road borders. CONCOR also plans to connect Kolkata and Nepal by rail and the Corporation is exploring terminal management possibilities inside Nepal through joint ventures, he added.
The day-long symposium will give exporters, Custom House Agents (CHAs) and freight forwarders, located in the northern region, a chance to interact with various port authorities. Representatives of port authorities in turn, can use this platform to directly market the package of services offered to their customers and interact with them.
The Symposium has been attended by a wide cross-section of service providers in the shipping, cargo and transportation sectors which include shipping lines, agents, port/customs officials, CHAs/forwarders, Non-Vessel Owning/Operation Common Carriers(NVOCCs)/logistics companies, financial and government agencies etc. Many prominent leaders in the field of shipping, ports and logistics sectors also participated in the Symposium.