NEWS – The state of Bihar has inaugurated its first dry port in Bihta, a town near Patna, on October 21, 2024. This initiative is aimed at boosting Bihar’s export potential, in partnership with Pristine Magadh Infrastructure Private Limited and the state industry department.

WHAT IS A DRY PORT?

• A dry port, also known as an Inland Container Depot (ICD), is a logistics hub located away from seaports or airports.
• It offers services like cargo handling, storage, and transportation while also acting as a customs clearance point.
• Dry ports serve as transit hubs for goods moving between inland regions and seaports/airports, easing the movement of goods and reducing congestion at ports.

WHY WAS IT NEEDED IN BIHAR?

• Bihar produces a wide range of agricultural, garment, and leather goods spread across various regions.
• The dry port provides a central facility where these goods can be consolidated, processed, and dispatched.
• The availability of customs clearance at the dry port improves efficiency and lowers transportation costs, making the export process smoother.

BIHAR’S MAJOR EXPORT PRODUCTS

Agriculture and Food Processing:

• Bihar is a significant producer of fruits and vegetables such as:
  • Potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, litchi, and makhana (fox nuts).
  • The state also exports maize, with 11 of its 38 districts focusing on maize production.
• The state has potential in food processing industries with districts like Vaishali, Nalanda, Patna, and Begusarai showing promise.

Leather and Garment Industry:

• Leather and garment products are emerging as key export items from Bihar, with production units set up in Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, and West Champaran.
• The first consignment exported from the Bihta dry port was leather shoes, sent to Russia.

Other Export Commodities:

• Bihar also exports sponge iron, packaged foods, rice, meat, newsprint, and waste paper.

IMPACT OF THE BIHTA DRY PORT

Public-Private Partnership Model:

• The dry port at Bihta is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, spread over seven acres.
• The dry port’s setup facilitates efficient transportation by rail, connecting with ports in Kolkata, Haldia, Visakhapatnam, Nhava Sheva, and Mundra.

Boosting Bihar’s Export Potential:

• In the financial year 2022-23, Bihar’s exports reached Rs 20,000 crore.
• With the commissioning of ICD Bihta, the state aims to significantly enhance its export figures.

Benefits to Neighboring States

• The Bihta dry port, connected via rail to several gateway ports, can cater to the export needs of neighboring states like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.
• This connectivity is expected to benefit the entire eastern region of India, creating a more integrated export infrastructure.