Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the US’s reciprocal tariff policy has opened up new opportunities for India to expand its global exports. Speaking during an inspection of the ₹1,200 crore Multimodal Logistics Park project in Pithampur, near Indore, Gadkari emphasized that India must now focus on reducing logistics costs to stay competitive in international trade.
“With the current global scenario and the tariffs imposed by the US, a window of opportunity has emerged for India to increase exports worldwide,” Gadkari said during the programme.
Highlighting the cost challenge, he pointed out that India’s logistics costs stand at 14–16%, compared to just 8% in China and 12% in the US and Europe. “This 8% gap with China is a key barrier to India’s export competitiveness,” he noted.
To address this, the government is developing logistics and multimodal parks across the country. The Pithampur Multimodal Logistics Park, spread over 255 acres, is expected to be completed within the next 1.5 to 2 years. Once operational, it will enhance export-import activity in the Malwa-Nimar region, lower logistics costs, and accelerate regional development.
Gadkari also laid the foundation stone for a railway siding that will connect the logistics park to Saugor railway station, 7 km away. This connectivity will allow farmers’ produce from the region to be shipped more efficiently to major ports like Mumbai’s JNPT and Gujarat’s Kandla and Mundra.
“It’s like Mumbai’s sea coming to Pithampur,” Gadkari quipped, as he shared plans to allow container checking at the park itself, enabling direct rail shipments to ports.
He further hinted at future plans to develop waterways on the Narmada and other rivers in Madhya Pradesh to further boost trade and economic activity.
Notably, Gadkari said that the Malwa-Nimar belt contributes 75% of Madhya Pradesh’s organic farming output, reinforcing the region’s importance in India’s agri-export potential.
