Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis proposes a dedicated rail freight corridor to connect major ports to inland logistics and industrial areas, aiming to cut logistics costs and broaden the benefits of port-led development. Speaking at the inauguration of electronics manufacturer Jabil’s new facility in Pune, Fadnavis says the corridor would link Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and the upcoming Vadhvan Port. He adds that the rail alignment would run along the Samruddhi Expressway, with right-of-way already kept aside over roughly 701 km.
Fadnavis says the network would connect dry ports at Jalna and Wardha before extending to Gadchiroli, which he describes as a growing steel and industrial hub. He estimates the plan could reduce logistics costs to about 7–8% and extend port connectivity benefits from about 15% of the state to nearly 75%. He also highlights Maharashtra’s economic role, including its contributions to GDP, exports, and the expansion of electronics and data centre capacity.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, also present, praises Maharashtra’s land reforms and supports manufacturing and AI data centre component growth, while discussing broader policy shifts and related rail infrastructure efforts in Pune.