I Miniratna to CRWC: All set to offer innovative solutions in 2014

Economic recession has affected the Logistics Industry and related Warehousing across the country. However, in Central Railside Warehouse Company (CRWC) there has been a steady growth. Significantly, the company recently achieved Mini Ratna (Category-II)

c RWC, which is under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Department of Food & Distribution, Govt. of India, is an ISO certified company. It develops, designs, constructs and operates rail-side warehouses for handling train loads of commodities across the country. The company provides integrated logistics solutions through infrastructure development by developing logistics hubs and cold chain warehouses. It is a profit making and dividend paying PSU, CRWC, and due to its excellent performance, has been granted the Mini Ratna Status.

In CRWC, 2014 will have major opportunities in the development of freight

Mechanisation of cargo-handling processes and filling up the skill gaps are the major challenges at present.” Vinod Asthana MD, Central Railside Warehouse Company

terminals, cold-chain logistics and rail related business opportunities. The business diversification and expansion plans shall be implemented in the organisation. “After witnessing a slowdown in 2013 in both domestic and international sectors, we are expecting a better year in 2014,” said Asthana.

According to Asthana, Goods and Service Tax (GST) will act as a driver to growth of logistics and warehousing. And, warehousing is fast emerging as a separate business vertical. Agri-logistics will gain more importance, specially in ensuring food security in the country.

Mechanisation of cargo-handling processes and filling up the skill gaps are the major challenges at present. He also observed that industrial warehousing shall be growing in 2014. FDI in retails sector would push the demand further for efficient logistics and warehousing further.

Remarkably, CRWC has also decided to operate full parcel cargo trains by FY 201314 in association with Indian Rail. Initially the trains will be between Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata and Delh-Hyderabad. “Our main objective is to divert road freight to rail in the long-term for benefit to the end-user, as well as the traders in order to contribute substantially to the overall economy of the country,” said Asthana. However, to run the trains, CRWC will have tie-ups with transport and logistics companies in India.

Recently the company also signed an agreement with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for developing a Multi-Modal Logistics Hub (MMLH) at Jogighopa, Assam, on Brahmaputra river, to facilitate inland vessel movement on National Waterways. The MMLH will be jointly developed by both parties.

Asthana informed that in the days to come the company’s primary focus will be to develop cold chain and logistics parks. Meanwhile, its cold storage at Dankuni in West Bengal with 16 chambers, is all set to be operational by December 2014.

The Mini Ratna status would provide more power to the organisation for policy matter. CRWC is now preparing a pragmatic strategy based on a KPMG Report, commissioned by the company.