India has reached a major milestone in logistics infrastructure with the inauguration of its largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki India Limited’s manufacturing facility in Manesar, Haryana. The inauguration was led by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw, on June 18, 2025. This development marks a transformative leap in automotive logistics, positioning India as a global player in efficient, integrated, and modern cargo movement.

Strategic Infrastructure for Automobile Logistics

The newly inaugurated terminal connects directly to Patli railway station via a dedicated 10 km rail line, making it an integral part of the broader 121.7 km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, developed by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC). This orbital corridor is designed to decongest existing railway lines and foster industrial connectivity in the Delhi-NCR and Haryana regions.

Key features of the terminal include:

• Annual vehicle loading capacity of 4.5 lakh units, making it one of the highest-capacity cargo terminals in India for automobile transport.

• Total investment of ₹800 crore (US$ 92.7 million), with ₹684 crore (US$ 79.2 million) funded by HRIDC and the remaining by Maruti Suzuki India Limited.

• State-of-the-art infrastructure to enable multi-modal freight handling, reduce road congestion, and ensure faster delivery cycles for auto exports and pan-India supply.

This Gati Shakti project aligns with the Government of India’s National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti Master Plan, which aim to create an integrated and seamless logistics ecosystem.

Indian Railways’ Decade of Transformation

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the remarkable transformation Indian Railways has undergone in the past decade. He highlighted that:

• The annual railway budget has jumped from around ₹24,000–₹25,000 crore pre-2014 to ₹2,50,000 crore (US$ 28.96 billion) in FY25, reflecting massive infrastructure push.

• Indian Railways carried 720 crore passengers and transported 1,617 million tonnes of freight in FY24, making it the second-largest freight carrier globally.

• These reforms are improving freight capacity, energy efficiency, and intermodal connectivity, essential for industrial growth.

MEMU Expansion and Factory in Kazipet

To support regional connectivity and enhance operational capacity:

• The MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) trains will be expanded from 8 coaches to 20 coaches, enabling higher passenger capacity for semi-urban and rural routes.

• A new MEMU train manufacturing facility will be established in Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh, to support this expansion and bolster the “Make in India” initiative in the railway sector.

This initiative is expected to create jobs, enhance rolling stock production, and reduce dependence on imports for rail infrastructure.

Namo Bharat and Digital Tatkal Reform

With rising demand and public response to modern train services, the government has committed to:

• Manufacturing 50 additional Namo Bharat trains, India’s answer to high-speed semi-bullet trains aimed at regional connectivity and comfort.

• From July 1, 2025, Tatkal ticketing will incorporate Aadhaar authentication and KYC verification. Users fulfilling these criteria will get priority access to bookings—an initiative to curb fraudulent activity, promote fair access, and ensure secure identity verification.

This marks a crucial step towards digitisation and modernisation of railway services for the common citizen.

Rail Development Surge in Haryana

Haryana has emerged as a major beneficiary of the Indian Railways’ expansion drive. Minister Vaishnaw noted that:

• Annual railway budget for Haryana has increased more than tenfold, from ₹300 crore (US$ 34.7 million) in 2014 to ₹3,416 crore (US$ 395.6 million) in FY25.

• The state has seen 823 km of new rail lines commissioned and 100% electrification of all routes, enhancing energy efficiency and carbon reduction.

• Ongoing infrastructure projects in Haryana are worth ₹11,800 crore (US$ 1.37 billion), including:

  • Station redevelopment projects with upgraded amenities.

  • Road overbridges (ROBs) to improve safety and eliminate level crossings.

  • The upcoming modernised coach factory in Sonipat, which will expand domestic rolling stock manufacturing.

These developments are poised to make Haryana a critical hub in India’s multi-modal and digital rail freight ecosystem.

Efficiency, Electrification & Exports

By integrating dedicated rail corridors, cargo terminals, and automobile manufacturing zones, Indian Railways is not only enhancing operational efficiency but also enabling cost-effective export logistics. The Maruti Suzuki terminal at Manesar is expected to:

• Reduce turnaround time and dependency on road transport.

• Lower vehicle transit damage risks.

• Support cleaner, electrified, and faster freight operations.

• Offer direct linkage to ports and facilitate global distribution of Indian-made vehicles.

This approach contributes directly to India’s aim of becoming a global automotive export leader.

Future Outlook: Digital, Green, Integrated

Minister Vaishnaw’s announcements underscore a broader roadmap for Indian Railways:

• Green mobility focus, with increased electrification, solar-powered stations, and battery-electric hybrid innovations.

• Digital ticketing reforms, enhancing passenger experience through KYC integration, mobile alerts, and smart station navigation.

• Integrated freight policies, boosting public-private partnerships (PPP) in cargo infrastructure development.

• Industry participation through terminals like the one at Maruti Suzuki, demonstrating successful rail-industry synergy.

These initiatives are part of a long-term vision to transform India’s transportation backbone into a global benchmark for efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability.

Conclusion

The inauguration of the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar facility is not just a milestone for the automotive sector, but a reflection of the transformative progress in Indian Railways’ infrastructure and services. With strong government backing, strategic investment, and private sector collaboration, India is poised to revolutionise multi-modal freight movement, making it smarter, faster, and greener.

As Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised, this is just the beginning. With massive investments, digitally driven reforms, and a focus on innovation, Indian Railways is on a steady journey toward becoming the backbone of a new, globally competitive India.

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