DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana will emerge as a new power in the field of logistics and supply chain. The Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Dhirpur, Kurukshetra will become a milestone in the Viksit Bharat- Viksit Haryana'.

This initiative will boost prosperity for the state's farmers, entrepreneurs, and traders, while providing new employment opportunities for our youth, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The Chief Minister was addressing at the inauguration ceremony of the PM Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal of Inland Container Depot in Dhirpur on Saturday.

Nayab Singh Saini said that the investment of Dubai's Sharaf Group in Haryana reflects strong confidence in the state's economic policies and business-friendly environment. It is also a symbol of the strengthening economic ties between India and the United Arab Emirates, he said.

He said that this is not merely the launch of a modern logistics facility, it is a significant step toward empowering Haryana's potential, enhancing the prosperity of farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs, and shaping a brighter future for our youth.

A nation builds its future on the foundation of its past. Kurukshetra has always been known for bold and visionary decisions. Today, this Inland Container Depot represents yet another such step, which will write a new chapter in Haryana's economic story, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The Chief Minister said that this ICD will further strengthen our resolve, led by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, to make Vikist Bharat and bring the nation's infrastructure up to global standards. He said that it will serve as a powerful medium to connect North India's potential to global markets.

This state-of-the-art container depot has been built on 18 acres of land. Additionally, Sharaf Group is operating a Multi-Modal Logistics Park on 115 acres in Palwal and developing a transshipment hub on 30 acres in Rewari, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The Chief Minister shared that Union Minister and former Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal had given his consent to this project during his visit to Dubai, showcasing Haryana's 'Ease of Doing Business.' This ICD project is a testament to Haryana's policies in the logistics and economic sectors and our "Go Global" approach, he said.

Nayab Singh Saini further said that the government is taking effective steps not just to improve Ease of Doing Business, but also to reduce business costs for entrepreneurs. The Foreign Cooperation Department is a unique example of this effort, offering guidance and assistance to entrepreneurs while also providing skilled human resources for employment both in India and abroad, he said.

The Chief Minister said that there was a time when such modern facilities were only available in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Now, facilities such as customs clearance, warehousing, and cold storage will all be available here at one location.

This will further boost Ease of Doing Business and create new investment opportunities in Haryana, he said.

The Chief Minister said that it is because of such projects that Haryana currently ranks second in India in the Logistics Index. Moreover, Haryana has consistently maintained the 'Achiever' category among landlocked states in the LEADS survey for three consecutive years ? 2022, 2023, and 2024, he said.

The Chief Minister said that this depot in Kurukshetra will serve as a 'Gateway to Global Trade' for Haryana. Until now, farmers, entrepreneurs, and traders in the state faced numerous challenges when sending their products to ports, both in terms of time and cost.

(editor@dailyworld.in)