India’s government is exploring the creation of a ‘Green Channel’ to streamline the movement of perishable farm goods, such as rice, through Mumbai and Mundra ports, aiming to reduce delays and bolster export competitiveness amidst port congestion challenges.
India’s government is moving to relieve pressure on rice exporters and sellers of perishable farm goods after complaints that ships, ports and shipping lines were slowing trade and adding costs. A meeting organised through the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority brought together Union Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar, APEDA chairman Abhishek Dev and officials from major ports, as exporters pressed for faster handling of cargo. The talks centred on whether a dedicated “Green Channel” could speed the movement of sensitive agricultural shipments through key gateways, including Mumbai and Mundra.
Export groups said the biggest problems were finding berthing slots for vessels and dealing with penalties and other charges from shipping lines. According to the Free Press Journal, the shipping secretary told officials to act quickly and asked rice exporter associations to take up special berthing arrangements with the port authorities at Kandla and Visakhapatnam. The aim is to reduce delays that can leave consignments stranded and erode margins in a business where timing often determines whether cargo arrives in saleable condition.
The proposal for a Green Channel reflects a wider attempt by New Delhi to keep goods moving through congested ports and protect export competitiveness. Business Standard reported earlier this year that the government has already been using similar measures at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, including rail evacuation, fee waivers and trailer pooling, as it tried to ease container bottlenecks linked to West Asia disruptions. That backdrop matters for rice exporters, especially those shipping to Gulf markets, where Indian basmati is a major import and delays can quickly trigger demurrage costs and missed contracts.
APEDA has now backed the creation of a committee to examine the Mumbai and Mundra proposal and work out how it would operate in practice. If adopted, the system could give perishable farm cargo priority treatment from gate to vessel, cutting transport time and lowering costs for exporters. For farmers and traders alike, officials say, the broader goal is simple: keep exports moving smoothly enough that Indian produce can reach overseas buyers on time and at better prices.
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