Government Launches Congestion-Easing Measures At Nhava Sheva Port After Goyal-Sonowal High-Level Meeting

Pearl Doshi May 25, 2026 1,250 Views

India’s government has stepped in to ease severe congestion at Nhava Sheva (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, JNPA) after Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held a high-level meeting with exporters. Immediate measures include rail evacuation of containers, trailer pooling, fee waivers, and green channels to restore cargo flow.

Nhava Sheva, India’s busiest container port, has faced mounting congestion due to global supply chain disruptions and a shortage of trailer drivers at Container Freight Stations (CFSs). With nearly 25,000 import containers delayed, the government has launched a coordinated “Whole of Government” response to protect trade competitiveness and ease operational bottlenecks.

Rail Evacuation And Trailer Pooling

Authorities have begun evacuating containers via rail movement, including to nearby CFSs with railway sidings. This reduces dependence on road transport and speeds up clearance. In addition, leading CFS operators pooled nearly 100 trailers to lift entire container stacks, enabling evacuation of long-pending and buried containers from congested yards.

Customs And Financial Relief

To ease the burden on trade stakeholders, the government has waived Inter-Terminal Railway Handling Operation (ITRHO) charges and Change of Mode of Transport charges. Terminals have also extended discounts on ground rent charges on a case-by-case basis. These measures aim to cut costs while accelerating cargo movement.

Green Channels And Direct Access

Dedicated green channels for empty trailers have been established across terminals to facilitate faster turnaround. Importers are being allowed direct access to port terminal yards to collect containers, while export trailers are being matched with import containers to improve efficiency.

Long-Term Strategy

Beyond immediate relief, JNPA is working on a long-term resilience plan. This includes expanding the pool of trained trailer drivers through motor driving schools, enhancing rail-based evacuation, and transitioning to electric vehicles for sustainability and driver comfort.

Congestion Relief Highlights

•⁠ ⁠Rail evacuation of containers to nearby CFSs with railway sidings

•⁠ ⁠Pooling of 100 trailers to clear long-pending stacks

•⁠ ⁠Waiver of ITRHO and transport mode change charges

•⁠ ⁠Discounts on ground rent charges for trade stakeholders

•⁠ ⁠Green channels for empty trailers to speed turnaround

•⁠ ⁠Direct importer access to terminal yards for faster collection

•⁠ ⁠Long-term plan includes driver training and EV adoption

Sources: Moneycontrol, KNN India, Port Wings News Network, NE India Broadcast

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