UP Dev Charges Exemption Scheme: 75% Relief for Dry Ports

The Exemption in Development Charges is one of the headline incentives of the New UP Warehousing & Logistics Policy 2022, rolled out by the Government of Uttar Pradesh. Its purpose is simple to state: lower the cost of building the dry port infrastructure the state needs to move cargo faster, and make Uttar Pradesh a more compelling base for logistics operations.

Dry port projects are the entire focus. Inland Container Depots (ICD), Container Freight Stations (CFS) and Air Freight Stations (AFS) that satisfy the policy's conditions can claim a 75% exemption on the development charges that state authorities levy. Charges of this kind fall due early in a project's life, and for facilities of this scale they are substantial — the relief is aimed squarely at that pressure point.

The bigger ambition is a logistics ecosystem that lifts industry across the state. More cost-effective, better-connected cargo handling helps manufacturers and traders stay competitive, and the state expects these projects to generate employment both while they are being built and once they are running.

There is no application window to wait for. The scheme is rolling and always open, so a developer can apply as the project reaches the relevant stage. Applications go through the state's Nivesh Mitra portal, while the governing terms sit in the New UP Warehousing & Logistics Policy 2022 document.

• 75% exemption on development charges for eligible dry port projects
• Covers Inland Container Depots, Container Freight Stations and Air Freight Stations
• Provided under the New UP Warehousing & Logistics Policy 2022 (Section 9.2.2)
• Rolling deadline — applications are accepted at any time
• Subsidy, not equity or a loan: no stake is taken and nothing is repaid
• Run by the Government of Uttar Pradesh; applications via the Nivesh Mitra portal

The exemption is reserved for Dry Port Projects that meet the conditions of the New UP Warehousing & Logistics Policy 2022. Three project types fall within that definition:

• Inland Container Depots (ICD)
• Container Freight Stations (CFS)
• Air Freight Stations (AFS)

Beyond the project category, eligibility turns on satisfying the criteria and documentation requirements laid down in the policy itself. The designated state authority verifies compliance before the benefit is granted, so a project that does not clearly fall into one of the categories above will not qualify.

Dry ports are normally developed and operated by incorporated business entities — private limited companies, limited liability partnerships and comparable structures with the capacity to build and run large-scale logistics infrastructure.

Eligibility here is defined by project type rather than by industry, and DPIIT or MSME registration is not listed among the conditions for this particular incentive in the material available.

UP Dev Charges Exemption Scheme: 75% Relief for Dry Ports is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

UP Dev Charges Exemption Scheme: 75% Relief for Dry Ports accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

The incentive is a 75% exemption on development charges payable to state authorities for an eligible dry port project — an ICD, CFS or AFS. Because the benefit is expressed as a share of the charges assessed for each individual project rather than as a fixed sum, the rupee value differs from project to project: a larger facility with higher assessed charges saves more.

In practical terms, the exemption delivers:

• A significantly smaller upfront outlay at the stage when logistics projects consume the most capital.
• More room to direct funds towards operational efficiency, technology upgrades and the wider build, instead of statutory charges.
• Stronger overall project viability, which helps developers put together a more convincing investment case.
• A non-dilutive benefit: this is a subsidy, not a loan or an equity investment, so it costs the developer no ownership stake.

The design intent is to draw both domestic and international investment into Uttar Pradesh's logistics sector, speed up project implementation and support the state's broader economic development goals.

UP Dev Charges Exemption Scheme: 75% Relief for Dry Ports is offered by Government of Uttar Pradesh, a government body. As a government-backed subsidy, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are handled by the state authority responsible for implementing the New UP Warehousing & Logistics Policy 2022. This is not a competitive round with shortlisting or pitches — the test is eligibility and compliance.

• The authority confirms that the project falls within one of the qualifying dry port categories (ICD, CFS or AFS) and matches the criteria set out in the policy.
• The documentation submitted with the application is reviewed for completeness and adherence to the prescribed format.
• Submitted financial projections and cost estimates are checked for accuracy.
• Once evaluation succeeds and approval is given, the 75% exemption is granted — usually reflected in the final charge calculation or issued as a formal order by the competent authority.

Before you apply to UP Dev Charges Exemption Scheme: 75% Relief for Dry Ports, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.