Maruti Suzuki begins rail ops at Manesar, boosting green logistics and connecting 380 cities across India.
In a major leap toward sustainable logistics, Maruti Suzuki India has kicked off rail operations at its Manesar facility, home to what’s now the country’s largest in-plant railway siding. Spread across 18.6 hectares within the sprawling 243-hectare industrial complex in Haryana, the newly operational siding features four full-length tracks and a dedicated engine diversion line, spanning 8.2 km of fully electrified rail.
With an annual dispatch capacity of 450,000 vehicles, the in-plant siding is designed to efficiently transport cars from Manesar and its adjoining Gurugram plant to 17 distribution hubs across India, serving 380 cities. The siding also enables exports via the ports of Pipavav and Mundra.
The development marks Maruti Suzuki’s second in-plant rail initiative, following its Gujarat facility, which became operational in 2024 with a capacity of 300,000 vehicles. Together, these efforts are transforming how India’s largest carmaker moves its products.
In FY2024–25 alone, Maruti Suzuki transported 500,000 vehicles by rail, which now makes up nearly a quarter of its total outbound logistics, a record in the company’s journey toward cleaner, multimodal transport.
Part of the 126-km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) connecting Sonipat and Palwal, the siding is operated by Haryana Orbital Rail, a public-private joint venture. Maruti Suzuki has invested ₹127 crore in the in-plant yard and another ₹325 crore in the corridor project.
As a registered project under the Indian government’s PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the siding aligns with the country’s vision for integrated infrastructure development. Beyond connectivity, its green credentials are compelling: when fully operational, it’s expected to save 60 million litres of fuel and reduce CO₂ emissions by 175,000 tonnes every year.
Since receiving the Automobile Freight Train Operator (AFTO) licence in 2014, Maruti Suzuki has moved 2.5 million cars by rail. The Manesar plant, operational since 2006, has so far produced over 10 million units, including popular models like the Brezza, Ertiga, Ciaz, Dzire, WagonR, and XL6.
With this strategic investment, Maruti Suzuki isn’t just building cars; it’s reshaping how they move across the country and the globe.
Source: Maritimegateway
