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The Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, represents a pivotal development under India's National Industrial Corridor Development Programme, aiming to integrate road, rail, air, and inland waterways into a unified logistics network. Positioned strategically near key transport corridors like the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor and National Waterway-1, this expansive 575-acre project promises to boost trade in agriculture, textiles, handicrafts, and pharmaceuticals by cutting logistics costs and improving connectivity to major ports. With an investment of around INR 1,750 crore (USD 210 million) and strong support from central and state governments, the MMLP is poised to generate over 10,000 jobs and drive economic growth in a region facing high unemployment.
The Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, stands as a flagship infrastructure initiative under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme, overseen by the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC). The project is designed to weave together multiple transportation modes road, rail, air, and inland waterways into a cohesive logistics hub, aiming to elevate Varanasi's status as a key commercial gateway in eastern India. Advertisement
Varanasi's strategic location, cultural heritage, and proximity to the Ganges River and the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) underpin the park's potential. By leveraging these advantages, the MMLP is set to foster enhanced connectivity, linking eastern Uttar Pradesh seamlessly with major metropolitan centres such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The park's integration with National Highway 19, Varanasi International Airport, the EDFC, and National Waterway-1 ensures a robust multimodal transport ecosystem.
This development is expected to catalyse trade particularly in agricultural products, textiles, handicrafts, and pharmaceuticals-sectors integral to the region's economy. By lowering logistics costs, the MMLP will improve the competitiveness of local industries and attract new investment inflows. Additionally, its proximity to ports like Haldia and Kolkata via efficient freight corridors positions Varanasi as an export gateway not only for Uttar Pradesh but also for neighbouring states such as Bihar and Jharkhand.
Spanning roughly 575 acres, the logistics park is among the largest in India and promises to create more than 10,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, addressing regional unemployment concerns and stimulating socioeconomic development. Strategically located around 15 km from Varanasi International Airport, the site offers extensive infrastructure including warehouses with cold storage for perishables, container freight stations, truck terminals, parking facilities, and administrative offices catering to logistics enterprises.
Financially, the project is valued at INR 1,750 crore (approximately USD 210 million), funded predominantly by the Ministry of Railways and NICDC, with the Uttar Pradesh government contributing through land acquisition and supplementary infrastructure such as road connectivity. This collaboration underscores the project's alignment with national infrastructure priorities and the state's commitment to fostering industrial growth.
In essence, the Varanasi MMLP is more than a logistics park; it is a transformative venture that promises to reshape the region's trade dynamics, enhance supply chain efficiencies, and support the broader economic ambitions of eastern India.
By linking diverse transport modes and improving access to key markets and ports, it offers a platform for industrial competitiveness and economic resilience. Moreover, the job creation and investment it is expected to generate reflect the broader developmental benefits such projects can deliver, especially in areas grappling with unemployment and underdevelopment. As the park moves closer to operational status, it stands to become a vital node in India's logistics network and a beacon for regional economic upliftment.
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