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Great growth ahead
By A Business Correspondent
Multimodal Transport industry is breathlessly waiting for amendments in the Multimodal Transport of Goods (MTG) Act of 1993. "It is necessary to make this act suitable to the requirements of the trade," points out Shailesh Bhatia, Managing Director, Bhatia Shipping Pvt. Ltd. If the amendments in the act takes place and infrastructure improves, then the multimodal transportation industry can grow 100 per cent as the emphasis will shift from segmented transportation to multimodal transportation, adds Bhatia. Established in 1968 as custom house agents, the shipping company is one of the most reputed multimodal transport operators in the country.
Regarding government support, what the industry needs is to improvise on the infrastructure and get amendments done. This will result in higher proportionate growth towards multimodal transportation operators, he believes. There is a tremendous growth potential for the industry.
The threat to this industry is from unregistered and unscrupulous players. They tarnish the reputation of registered operators, for instance, by overcharging clients. If amendments are accepted by Parliament, then all those (unregistered players) who are into multimodal transportation, have to register themselves with the Director General of Shipping, avers Bhatia. The Mumbai-based Bhatia shipping offices are spread through out the country.
The industry has come a long way from the day it originated. Now there is more acceptability of multimodal transport operators, and the volume of business handled by the operators is rapidly increasing. The growth is also reflected through the gradually increasing figure on MTD.
As compared to developed countries, the Chinese multimodal transport industry is at its infancy like ours. Some of Bhatia's prestigious clients are Idea Cellular, Hindustan Liver, Hero Cycles, Grasim, Matrubhumi, Nokia, Bajaj and Alok Industries.
Exciting times lies ahead for India, and the future belongs to quality. To the industry players, suggests Bhatia, "Upgrade yourselves and prepare for a better tomorrow." The company's strengths are systematic approach to work, transparent and straightforward dealings. The turnover last year was Rs 40 crore, and next year the company is targeting 20 per cent growth.
Contact: Bhatia Shipping Pvt. Ltd, Shipping House, /6 Kumtha Street, Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai 400038
[7 March 2005]
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