DP World to Develop Rail-Linked Inland Logistics Hub in Madhya Pradesh
By Cygnus | 22 Jan 2026
Dubai-based logistics major DP World has signed an agreement with the Madhya Pradesh government to develop a rail-linked inland logistics hub at Powarkheda, strengthening a direct freight corridor between central India’s industrial clusters and Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
The agreement was exchanged at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos in the presence of DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, according to a company statement.
The project builds on a twice-weekly EXIM rail service that began operating between Powarkheda and JNPA in December 2025, which DP World has positioned as a pilot for a broader integrated logistics ecosystem.
A multi-sector gateway for central India
Spread over 88.3 acres, the Powarkheda inland hub will function as a high-efficiency logistics gateway for industries in Dhar, Indore and Raisen, with a focus on key cargo segments such as pharmaceuticals, textiles and agri-commodities.
DP World said the facility will integrate:
- Bonded and non-bonded warehousing (over 20,000 sq m)
- Cold-chain modules for perishables and pharmaceuticals
- Scalable rail handling capacity of over 1,400 TEUs per month
“Our Powarkheda hub is a game-changer,” said Adhendru Jain, Vice President – Rail and Inland Terminals, DP World Subcontinent, highlighting the plan to integrate warehousing, cold storage and bonded logistics to improve supply chain reliability.
Efficiency and sustainability push
DP World estimates the shift from road transport to rail could reduce transit times to JNPA by 30–40%, while carbon emissions could fall by around 70%, reflecting broader corporate focus on lower-emission logistics and modal shift.
The company said the rail service is designed to deliver a three-day transit window from Madhya Pradesh’s industrial belt to India’s busiest container port.
Summary
DP World signed an agreement with the Madhya Pradesh government at WEF 2026 in Davos to develop an 88.3-acre rail-linked inland logistics hub at Powarkheda. The project expands a corridor connecting central India to JNPA Mumbai, with warehousing, cold chain and bonded logistics facilities designed to handle 1,400 TEUs/month, while cutting transit time and emissions through rail-based freight.
FAQs
Q1: When was the agreement signed?
The agreement was exchanged on January 22, 2026, at WEF 2026 in Davos.
Q2: Is the hub already operational?
The corridor has an operational twice-weekly rail service since December 2025, while the full logistics hub is now being developed.
Q3: What is the environmental impact?
DP World estimates a ~70% emissions reduction compared to road logistics via modal shift to rail.
Q4: Which port does it connect to?
It links to JNPA (Nhava Sheva) in Mumbai.
Q5: What is the hub’s capacity?
DP World said it will be scalable to over 1,400 TEUs per month, supported by warehousing >20,000 sq m.
