Diversified public sector undertaking Balmer Lawrie on Monday announced the appointment of Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri as the chairman and managing director (CMD) of the company, succeeding Adika Ratna Sekhar, who retired on June 30.
Palchaudhuri, who has served as a whole-time director on the board of Balmer Lawrie since March 1, 2020, will hold the post of CMD (additional charge) from July 1, 2024. He is currently the director of the service business of the company.
A seasoned professional with over 30 years of corporate experience, Palchaudhuri joined Balmer Lawrie in 2012 and oversees the logistics (infrastructure, services and cold chain) and travel and vacations business of the company. He also serves on the board of Vishakhapatnam Port Authority and is currently driving the Balmer Lawrie start-up fund initiative.
The public sector company also announced the debut of a rail service between its container freight station (CFS) in Calcutta to Haldia port.
“The Port Link Express is a pioneering cost-effective and eco-friendly land bridge initiative that will enhance trade logistics in the eastern region. The export train was flagged off by senior officials of Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, MSC Line, Hind Terminals Pvt. Ltd., Electrosteel Castings Ltd. and the assistant commissioner of customs,” the company said in a statement.
The debut export train, which ran on June 29, is operated by Hind Terminals and carried 90 export TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of the MSC Line. Around 2 to 3 trains per week are expected to move between Haldia port and Balmer Lawrie CFS in Calcutta, the company said.
“This initiative, poised to become a vital component of the eastern region’s trade infrastructure, will not only reduce logistics costs but will also lessen the carbon footprint, thereby promoting environment-friendly and sustainable trade practices.
“Besides improving logistics operations, this project underscores the importance of regulatory support from the customs authorities in facilitating smoother trade,” the statement said.
