India’s first ICD-based cold store in Haryana

To cut double-handling and save cost for importers and exporters of perishable goods, JM Baxi Group has opened portbased cold storage at its Sonepat inland container depot (a dry port) in Haryana. The firm, which runs port terminals and container trains, aims to set up seven to eight such cold stores in India, said Dhruv Kotak, Joint Managing Director, JM Baxi Group.

The cold stores will be managed by Bangalorebased Coldman Logistics, a new entrant into the cold chain business, led by Ravi Kannan, the former CEO of Mumbai-listed Snowman Logistics. At present, reefer containers landing at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and perishables exported through India’s biggest container gateway are re-distributed or sourced from all over the country irrespective of the commodity.

Imported reefer containers are redistributed to the north from Nhava Sheva, which results in doublehandling. “Boxco’s temperature-controlled warehouse at Sonepat enables exporters and importers in the north to bring their reefer containers directly to the cold store. It brings the cold stores directly to where the ex-im cargo either originates or ends. It has never existed before. It saves double-handling because it is moved directly by rail to the cold stores, leading to huge cost savings,” said Kotak.