Jalna Dry Port Project Halted Over INR 52 Lakh Unpaid Land Dues

The Jalna multi-modal dry port project in Maharashtra has been sealed by the district administration over non-payment of INR 52 lakh in land revenue dues, with the action carried out in the past week at the project site in Daregaon. The move has temporarily halted progress on a logistics infrastructure project that was nearing operational readiness.

The sealing operation was led by the local revenue department under the supervision of the tehsildar, following repeated notices issued to the project authorities for recovery of outstanding dues. Officials stated that the facility will remain sealed until the full amount is cleared, indicating a strict enforcement approach towards pending land-related liabilities.

The dry port project is being developed as a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), with the objective of creating an inland logistics hub to support container movement and reduce congestion at coastal ports. Spread across approximately 495 acres, the project has been conceived as a multi-modal logistics park integrating rail and road connectivity.

The facility was recently handed over to a Chandrapur-based private entity, Vikas Coal and Minerals Pvt. Ltd., for operations under a 15-year agreement. Once operational, it is expected to offer infrastructure such as container yards, warehousing facilities, truck terminals, and container handling services, aimed at strengthening logistics efficiency in the Marathwada region.

Despite its formal inauguration in 2024, the project has not yet commenced full-scale operations. Key infrastructure components, including administrative buildings, boundary walls, railway connectivity to the South Central Railway line at Dinegaon, and storage facilities, have been developed. However, certain operational elements remain incomplete, delaying commissioning.

Officials indicated that the project was expected to become operational in the coming months, with most physical works nearing completion. The recent sealing, however, introduces a procedural setback that may impact timelines, particularly if resolution of dues is delayed.

The development highlights the role of compliance with land revenue and statutory obligations in large-scale infrastructure projects, where pending dues can affect project readiness despite physical progress. In logistics projects involving multiple agencies and phased implementation, administrative clearances and financial compliance remain critical to timely operationalisation.

The Jalna dry port has been positioned as a strategic logistics node to support industrial activity in the region by enabling efficient cargo aggregation and movement to major ports. The resolution of the current issue will be essential for the project to transition from infrastructure readiness to full operational functionality.