Indian Railways is making swift progress towards establishing 100 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCT).
Indian Railways is rapidly advancing in its endeavor to establish 100 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCT), poised to achieve completion ahead of schedule. Insiders familiar with the project’s progress reveal that 60 terminals, established under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, are presently operational. The remaining 40 terminals are slated for completion by the end of the current fiscal year.
Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals, dedicated to non-passenger commercial purposes, facilitate bulk cargo handling for corporations associated with Indian Railways. These terminals are established under a new policy framework aimed at leveraging unused railway land for monetization.
According to a senior official, once 100 terminals are operational, the target will be elevated to 200 terminals. The initiative aligns with the government’s agenda outlined in the Union Budget 2022-23 to promote domestic cargo containerization and enhance rail transportation efficiency.
With an investment of INR 5374 crore in the existing Gati Shakti cargo terminals, the government aims to optimise freight transportation, focusing on weight goods like coal and cement over volume goods like electronics and clothes. The prioritisation of containerization aims to streamline handling processes and bolster operational efficiency, ensuring smoother freight operations for Indian Railways.
