**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 1672 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on February 10th, 2026, regarding Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Tamil Nadu. The response details the government's approach to assessing the need for ICDs, the current status of ICDs in Tamil Nadu, measures to improve inland access, and coordination with state governments for infrastructure development. There are no action items contained in this document, though stakeholders are affected and will need to be aware of policy changes.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **ICD/CFS Development:**
* ICD/CFS development is demand-driven, based on export-import cargo potential.
* Any agency can submit a proposal for an ICD/CFS at a specific location.
* Proposals are evaluated by an Inter-Ministerial Committee coordinated by the Department of Revenue.
* **ICD Status in Tamil Nadu:**
* A list of notified ICD locations in Tamil Nadu is included as Annexure-A.
* Currently, no new proposals for setting up ICDs in Tamil Nadu are under consideration.
* **Improvements to Inland Access:**
* States are encouraged to formulate State Logistics Policies aligned with the National Logistics Policy (NLP) 2022.
* The Tamil Nadu Logistics Policy 2023 promotes inland container handling infrastructure, warehouses, and cold storage for MSMEs.
* The Tamil Nadu Warehousing Policy 2026 provides incentive packages for warehousing and cold storage infrastructure development.
* **Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs):**
* Planning and development of MMLPs, ICDs, and sector-specific logistics infrastructure for exports are demand-driven.
* State Governments and private entities are developing these facilities based on demand assessment.
* The Government of India approved 35 MMLP locations, including in Chennai and Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments**
* **Impact:** The State Governments are responsible for inland development.
* **Action Required:** The State Governments must formulate logistics policies aligned with the National Logistics Policy and to continue planning and developing MMLPs and other logistics infrastructure based on demand.
**Private Sector Entities**
* **Impact:** Development of Inland Container Depot (ICD) or Container Freight Station (CFS) is a demand driven process based on the export import cargo potential.
* **Action Required:** Private sector entities willing to establish an ICD/CFS can submit proposals based on their internal assessments.
**MSMEs and Exporters**
* **Impact:** MSMEs, women-led enterprises, and small exporters will benefit from improved access to container handling, warehousing, cold storage, and testing facilities.
* **Action Required:** MSMEs, women-led enterprises, and small exporters should familiarize themselves with the Tamil Nadu Logistics Policy 2023 and Warehousing Policy 2026 to leverage the incentives and infrastructure improvements.
Key Entities Referenced
Inland Container Depots (ICDs): Dry ports in non-coastal export hubs; addresses logistics costs and export clearance.
Tamil Nadu: The state where ICDs are being assessed, developed, and where several locations already exist. Location is key to the scope of the question.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry: The ministry responsible for addressing the question regarding ICDs.
National Logistics Policy (NLP) 2022: A national policy that State Logistics Policies should align with, influencing logistics development
Tamil Nadu Logistics Policy 2023: A state-level policy promoting the development of logistics infrastructure.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1672.
TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 10TH FEBRUARY, 2026.
INLAND CONTAINER DEPOTS
1672. MS. S JOTHIMANI:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री
(a) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment to identify the need
for Inland Container Depots (ICDs) or dry ports in non-coastal export hubs of
Tamil Nadu, particularly Karur, Tiruppur and Dindigul, to reduce logistics costs
and improve export clearance;
(b) the number and locations of operational ICDs in Tamil Nadu at present and the
details of new ICD or dry port proposals approved or under consideration during
the last three years;
(c) the measures taken to improve inland access to container handling,
warehousing, cold storage and testing facilities for MSMEs, women-led
enterprises and small exporters in the State; and
(d) whether the Ministry is coordinating with State Governments and private sector
partners to develop multi-modal logistics parks, ICDs, or sector-specific
logistics infrastructure for exports such as textiles, agro-products and natural
fibre-based goods and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a): The development of Inland Container Depot (ICD) or Container Freight Station
(CFS) is a demand driven process based on the export import cargo potential.
Any agency, private players or public sector entities, willing to establish an
ICD/CFS at a particular location based on its’ internal assessment can submit
their proposal seeking Licence to operate the same. All such proposals are
evaluated through an Inter Ministerial Committee, coordinated by Department
of Revenue, as per the guidelines issued by that Department in this regard and
the approval is granted accordingly.
(b): The list of locations in Tamil Nadu where ICDs have been notified is enclosed
as Annexure-A. Currently, no new proposal for setting up of ICDs in the State
of Tamil Nadu is under consideration.(c): To create a cohesive, cost-effective, and technology-driven, integrated logistics
ecosystem, the States are encouraged to formulate their State Logistics Policy
aligning with the National Logistics Policy (NLP) 2022. Under the Tamil Nadu
Logistics Policy 2023, the State has promoted development of inland container
handling infrastructure, warehouses, cold storages and other facilities for
MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). Moreover, the Tamil Nadu
Warehousing Policy 2026 also provides incentive packages for warehousing
and cold storage infrastructure development in the State, with a special focus
on the hinterland districts.
(d): Planning and development of MMLPs (Multi Modal Logistics Parks), Inland
Container Depots (ICDs) or sector-specific logistics infrastructure for exports
are demand driven initiatives. The respective State Governments and private
entities are developing these facilities as per their demand assessment and
plans. The Government of India also approved 35 MMLP locations across the
country, including MMLPs in Chennai and Coimbatore in the State of Tamil
Nadu.
*******ANNEXURE-A
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1672 FOR ANSWER ON 10.02.2026.
List of locations in Tamil Nadu where ICDs have been notified
S. No. ICD Locations
1 Coimbatore
2 Madurai
3 Salem
4 Singnallur
5 Tirupur
6 Pullichappallam Village, Vanur Taluk
7 Karur
8 Melapakkam, Arakkonam
9 Coimbatore
10 Inland Container Depots, Tuticorin
11 Irugur Village, Distt. Coimbatore
12 SIPCOT Industrial Park, Irungattukottai, Kattrambakkam Village,
Sriperumbudur Taluk, Kancheepuram District
13 Tondiarpet (TNPM), Chennai
14 Hosur
*********