New Delhi: In a major push to modernise India’s logistics network, the Ministry of Railways is set to launch the Gati Shakti Freight Train, a new semi-high-speed service aimed at transforming freight movement across the country. The train, designed to cater to e-commerce and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) logistics, will be manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. It will be similar to that of Vande Bharat.

“ICF is planning to introduce Gati Shakti Freight EMU, a semi-high-speed train for e-commerce and FMCG logistics, equipped with advanced container handling systems and crew amenities,” said U Subba Rao, General Manager of ICF, while addressing a gathering on India’s 79th Independence Day.

The initiative is part of Indian Railways’ broader strategy to enhance freight efficiency and reduce logistics costs, positioning rail transport as the backbone of India’s supply chain.

Boosting freight efficiency

Indian Railways continues to play a crucial role in transporting key bulk commodities essential to the industrial, agricultural, and energy sectors.

The national transporter currently handles more than 1.6 billion tonnes of freight annually. Freight volumes have grown from 1,233 million tonnes in 2020–21 to 1,591 million tonnes in 2023–24, a 29 per cent increase.

Dedicated freight corridors

To further strengthen its freight capacity, Indian Railways is developing two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs): the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) from Ludhiana to Sonnagar (1,337 km) and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT) to Dadri (1,506 km).

Of the total 2,843 km network, 2,741 route km, nearly 96.4 per cent, have been commissioned and are operational, carrying 1,30,116 freight trains during FY 2024–25.