Gateway Distriparks inks a 15-year deal as the sole container train operator for MMLP Ankleshwar, boosting Western India connectivity.
In a significant boost to Western India’s logistics network, Gateway Distriparks (GDL) has signed a 15-year exclusive agreement to operate container trains for the upcoming 120-acre Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Ankleshwar, Gujarat, developed by the Sawariya Group of Industries.
Strategically located near Surat, the facility will handle domestic and EXIM containers, bulk cargo, and other multimodal services. With a planned annual capacity of 200,000 TEUs and 850,000 sq. ft. of warehousing space, the park is designed for phased expansion based on market demand. Connected directly to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, the terminal can handle double-stack trains and will serve key industrial hubs such as Surat, Panoli GIDC, Ankleshwar GIDC, Bharuch, Jhagadia GIDC, Dahej, and Hazira.
Under the agreement, GDL will operate rail services, while Sawariya will run terminal operations, drawing on over two decades of expertise in logistics, warehousing, and industrial construction. Domestic operations have already begun, with GDL enjoying exclusivity in regions where it runs its own Inland Container Depots, including Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ludhiana, Uttarakhand, and Ahmedabad, plus first refusal rights for new markets.
The EXIM-focused ICD portion is still under construction and is expected to go live at the start of the next financial year. Once operational, both EXIM and domestic customers can shift from road to rail transport, benefiting from lower carbon emissions, cost savings, faster transit, and improved efficiency.
Prem Kishan Dass Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director of GDL, said the partnership strengthens GDL’s Western India presence and leverages an asset-light model to scale operations quickly without investing in terminal infrastructure. “This is a win-win, blending Gateway’s multimodal expertise with Sawariya’s infrastructure strength. We will continue to grow our ICD network in the northwest corridor and seek similar strategic partnerships,” he added.
Source: Maritime Gateway
