Why in the News?

Bihar has inaugurated the state’s first dry port in Bihta, a town near Patna to boost the export of goods produced in Bihar.
- The first export consignment from the Bihta ICD was leather shoes sent to Russia.

What is it?

A dry port, also known as an inland container depot (ICD), is a logistics facility located away from a seaport or airport.
It provides facilities for cargo handling, storage, and transportation of goods, making it easier to manage exports and imports.
The first dry port in India was opened in Varanasi in 2018.
The dry port also acts as a bridge between the inland regions and international shipping routes through major gateway ports.

The Bihta Inland Container Depot (ICD), also known as Bihta dry port, is located in Bihta, a town near Patna, the capital of Bihar.
It operates under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
It is fully commissioned and approved by the Department of Revenue, under the Union Ministry of Finance.
It is managed by Pristine Magadh Infrastructure Private Limited in collaboration with the Bihar state industry department.
The Bihta ICD is well connected by railways to gateway ports across India, including:
- Kolkata and Haldia in West Bengal.
- Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
- Nhava Sheva in Maharashtra.
- Mundra in Gujarat.
It supports transportation of goods to and from eastern India, benefitting not just Bihar but also neighboring states like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.

Boosts Exports: Bihar’s major export products, including fruits, vegetables, garments, leather goods, and maize, will benefit from the efficient cargo handling and transportation offered by the dry port.
Reduces Costs: By managing customs procedures locally and consolidating shipments, the dry port can lower transportation costs for businesses in Bihar.
Encourages Investment: The new infrastructure, along with the state’s expanding leather and garment industries, will attract more investors and promote economic growth.
Improves Connectivity: The dry port connects to major railway networks that link Bihar to important seaports in Kolkata, Haldia, and Visakhapatnam, improving logistics efficiency for exports.
Supports Neighboring States: The dry port will also benefit neighboring states like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha, enhancing regional trade in eastern India.

[2023] Consider the following pairs:

Port	Well known as
1. Kamarajar Port:	First major port in India registered as a company
2. Mundra Port:	Largest privately owned port in India
3. Visakhapatnam Port:	Largest container port in India

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) All three pairs
(d) None of the pairs