The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has embarked on an ambitious mission to propel the state’s merchandise exports to new heights by doubling them to a staggering Rs 3 trillion.
To achieve this, UP is set to create an extensive network of warehouses, cargo terminals, and trucking hubs strategically positioned throughout the state.
These infrastructure endeavours will be concentrated in key industrial zones across UP, including areas adjacent to major expressways, notably the upcoming Ganga Expressway.
A dedicated committee led by the transport commissioner has been established to evaluate private investment proposals for this expansive logistics network.
To entice private enterprises to invest in the state’s logistics sector, the UP government is extending a slew of incentives and financial benefits under the UP Warehousing & Logistics Policy.
A senior official from the state’s Department of Industry has divulged that the government’s vision includes the development of a comprehensive transportation network encompassing air, water, road, and rail connectivity.
Presently, Uttar Pradesh boasts a fully operational 1,100-kilometer-long inland waterway, linking Prayagraj to Haldia port in West Bengal.
The waterway features a multi-modal terminal in Varanasi and floating terminals in Ghazipur, Varanasi, and Prayagraj.
Plans are also afoot to establish India’s inaugural ‘Freight Village’ spanning 100 acres in Varanasi, poised to serve as a vital trans-shipment hub for inbound and outbound cargo, connecting eastern Uttar Pradesh’s exporting centers to eastern Indian ports.
Besides having an extensive network of national highways (NH), Uttar Pradesh leads the nation in the development of expressways, with nearly a dozen operational and upcoming projects.
Furthermore, the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government envisions converting expressways into specialized corridors tailored for industries like manufacturing and food processing.
The UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has earmarked 100 acres of land adjacent to each expressway project for industrial development, with an estimated investment of Rs 4,000 crore.
In addition to these ambitious plans, Uttar Pradesh aims to position itself as a key manufacturing hub for electric vehicles and batteries in South Asia.
The state is also gearing up to establish a robust charging infrastructure network along highways and expressways to meet the surging demand for electric vehicles.