RTI response reveals Maha can’t get any more dry ports

Kolhapur: The plans to set up a multi-modal logistics park or integrated container depot (dry port) at Ranjani in Sangli have been cancelled. This was revealed in the response of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to an RTI application filed by an activist from Sangli.The JNPA response said the memorandum of understanding signed between the port authority and the Maharashtra government about the Ranjani dry port is cancelled. Moreover, as per the Union finance ministry’s guidelines, no new dry ports can be set as Maharashtra’s requirement has been fulfilled.Activists claim the RTI reply has revealed that the promises of setting up dry ports in Sangli and Kolhapur districts are false, and are only made to lure the voters ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The activists said BJP MP from Sangli Sanjaykaka Patil had promised a dry port ahead of the 2019 election. However, this promise has not been fulfilled yet, and there is a similar promise for a different location now. Dhairyasheel Mane, the Sena MP from Hatkanangale, is making a similar promise. Three months ago, Union minister Nitin Gadkari suggested a proposal for a dry port in Hatkanangale. That angered the residents of Sangli, who are still waiting for the promise made by their MP to be delivered.Satish Sakhalkar, an activist from Sangli, said, “I was present at the function where Gadkari made the promise. I was stunned, because the promise made to us by our MP has not been fulfilled yet, and here the minister was making similar suggestions to the Kolhapur MP. We, therefore, decided to file an RTI application. The reply exposes the claims of both the MPs. As per finance ministry rules, Maharashtra is in the Red Zone. This means no new dry port can be permitted as the state’s requirement has been fulfilled.”Sangli MP counters claimSpeaking to TOI Sangli MP Sanjaykaka Patil said there is no truth to the claims that the dry port is not happening. Patil said that due to some issues, the site was changed to Salgare village in Miraj tehsil of Sangli. “The National Highway Logistics Management Limited is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to implement dry port plans. We are in discussion with the state industries department, which has approved the transfer of land. Salgare village has 450 acres at a crucial point connecting the National Green Corridor Highway. The state government is going to transfer 230 acre immediately. The work will start in two months,” said Patil.He added that the new site of the dry port has connectivity to south Indian states as well and, therefore, is feasible for businesses.Not sure about dry port in Kolhapur districtHatkanangale MP Dhairyasheel Mane was not available for comment. However, his close aides told TOI that the process to transfer land has been initiated by the industry department. Land at Majale-Tamdalge village has been identified as the perfect location, however, it is yet to be finalized, said the aide. The Majale-Tamdalge site has connectivity to ports through the Ratnagiri-Nagpur NH 166.
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