JNPA to develop agri-commodity-based processing, storage facility at port for Rs 285 crore

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New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) announced on Monday that it will develop an agri-commodity-based processing and storage facility at the port, serving Maharashtra and other states, with an estimated investment of Rs 285 crore. The port has received approval for the project from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

Planned on 27 acres of land, the facility is designed to provide comprehensive services, including processing, sorting, packing, and laboratory facilities. This proposed facility will be the first of its kind in the country provided by a port, according to JNPA. The export-import-cum-domestic agricultural commodity-based processing and storage facility will cater to the needs of Maharashtra as well as other states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

"Following the theme laid by the ministry about 'port-led development' and JNPA's efforts for 'Port-led industrialisation,' we are developing a domestic agricultural commodity-based processing and storage facility aimed primarily at mitigating wastage due to multiple handling and unhygienic storage, thereby extending the shelf life of various produce," said JNPA Chairman Unmesh Sharad Wagh.

This initiative aligns with JNPA's goal to create a comprehensive port ecosystem. The project, estimated at Rs 285 crore, will be executed in a public-private partnership (PPP) mode under the design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT) model, JNPA stated.

The export infrastructure will include essential facilities such as cold storage to ensure optimal temperature management, which is crucial for preserving product freshness and quality, and pre-cooling facilities to prepare perishable goods for transport and maintain their integrity throughout the journey. On the import side, the facility will offer dedicated frozen and cold storage options, along with dry warehouses, ensuring seamless handling and storage solutions for imported goods.