INSTC to slash cargo transport time to Russia to 30 days: Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI: The proposed international corridor INSTC is expected to slash time for transportation of cargo to Russia from India to about 30 days, just half of the time presently taken, government today said.
The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a proposed multi-modal transportation system connecting the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Islamic Republic of Iran, from where it connects St Petersburg and North Europe, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told Lok Sabha in a written reply.

"It is expected that cargo by this route would reach Russia in about 25-30 days as against the present route through Suez which takes about 45-60 days," Gadkari said.

India alongwith 12 other members are parties in the agreement of INSTC.

In May, India and Tajikistan agreed to enhance connectivity between them including through the INSTC and other regional transit arrangements to boost trade.

"With a view to facilitate greater trade and investment between India and Tajikistan, the two ministers agreed to work towards enhanced connectivity between the two countries including through the INSTC and other regional transit arrangements," the government had said.

Tajikistan shares a 1,400-km-long porous border with Afghanistan and has immense geo-strategic significance for India.