The
Indian Railways
is on track to achieve its goal of establishing 100
Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals
(GCT) earlier than anticipated. Insiders familiar with the progress report have said that 60 terminals under the public-private partnership (PPP) model are currently functional, and the remaining 40 are expected to be operational by the end of the current financial year.
These terminals are utilized by corporations with ties to Indian Railways for handling bulk cargo.
The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal is designed for non-passenger commercial purposes, such as freight, and is established under a new policy that facilitates the monetization of unused railway land.
“Target for Gati Shakti Terminals will then be scaled upwards to 200 once 100 terminals are operational,” a senior official told ET.
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The central government had set a target of creating 100 Gati Shakti Terminals in the Union Budget 2022-23, with a five-year timeline for completion. These objectives align with plans to promote the containerization of domestic cargo, enabling more of it to be transported by rail. The Gati Shakti
cargo terminals
currently in operation have received an investment of Rs 5374 crore.
When asked about the freight priorities for Indian Railways, the official emphasized, “Focus should be on weight goods like coal and cement instead of volume goods like electronics and clothes.” The official further added, “The Railways will want more containerization of volume cargo to allow speedier handling and more operational efficiency.”
Weight goods are transported on dedicated freight trains, while volume goods are carried alongside passengers in smaller quantities. As containerization becomes more prevalent, Indian Railways will be able to transport volume goods in larger quantities through better-planned services.
