India, Jan. 13 -- The Government of India has issued a release:

Key Takeaways

Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) Policy, 2021

Introduced by the Ministry of Railways on 15 December 2021, the policy aims to accelerate modern cargo terminal development, upgrade existing facilities, and strengthen India's freight ecosystem. It streamlines processes, encourages private participation, and aligns infrastructure growth with industry demand to position India as a global logistics hub.

Introduction

India's logistics sector has made remarkable progress in recent years, achieving a significant milestone with logistics costs now reduced to 7.97% of GDP. This achievement reflects the success of sustained reforms and integrated planning, positioning the nation closer to global benchmarks. It demonstrates how coordinated infrastructure development and digital integration are reshaping the logistics landscape, making it more efficient, competitive, and future-ready.

At the heart of this transformation is the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which has brought together railways, highways, ports, and airports into a unified framework. By enabling seamless multimodal connectivity, the plan aims to strengthen industry competitiveness, support initiatives such as Ease of Doing Business and Make in India, and ensure balanced regional growth. The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) are a key pillar of this vision, driving modern logistics solutions that will continue to enhance India's role as a global trade hub.

Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals

A railway cargo terminal is a facility where goods are loaded, unloaded, and transferred between trains and other modes of transportation. It serves as an important hub in the logistics chain, facilitating the efficient movement of both containers and bulk goods. Earlier, without multimodal hubs like Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals, freight movement in India was scattered across road, rail, and ports. This led to delays, higher costs, and congestion. Integrated hubs are needed to connect these modes, speed up cargo handling, and lower emissions.

Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs) are the modern cargo terminals being developed and set up under the GCT Policy, 2021 of the Ministry of Railways that integrate rail with other modes of transport.

GCTs are being developed with 'engine‑on‑load' (EOL) operations to minimize detentions and ensure optimal use of railway infrastructure. They are equipped with modern cargo‑handling facilities such as mechanized loading systems and silos, which significantly reduce handling time. The overall objective is to enhance the Indian Railway's share in total freight movement by providing faster, more efficient, and reliable freight services. This is essential as rail transport is more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and produces far lower carbon emissions compared to road transport, helping India reduce logistics costs and meet its sustainability goals.

Under the EOL system, the locomotive stays at the terminal during loading or unloading, waiting at the railway's cost within the permitted free time, so the train can depart immediately once the process is finished.

Cargo Terminals are the strategic hubs to strengthen India's logistics ecosystem. Their design focuses on seamless connectivity, private participation, and simplified processes, while aligning with national priorities and balanced regional growth.

Progress Achieved So far

Since their launch, Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals have moved from vision to visible outcomes, steadily translating into approvals, commissioning of new facilities, and measurable gains in freight handling capacity.

· Approvals and Commissioning: Indian Railways has approved proposals for 306 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs), of which 118 have already been commissioned, reflecting steady advancement in implementation.

The steady rise in approvals, commissioning, and freight revenues demonstrates that the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Policy is delivering tangible results. It has strengthened rail logistics, attracted private investment, and positioned Indian Railways as a key driver of efficient cargo movement.

Key Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals Driving Logistics Growth

The transformation of the logistics landscape is being driven not by any one terminal, but by the network of newly operational GCTs. This impact is illustrated through several key examples, including:

v New Sanjali GCT in Gujarat: The New Sanjali Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal in Gujarat is the first facility built on private land under the Gati Shakti Policy along the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. This modern terminal represents a significant step in India's logistics transformation. Designed as a strategic freight hub, it will support high-speed, high-capacity cargo movement, promote multimodal integration, and advance greener, more efficient logistics operations.

Way Forward:

Looking ahead, the GCT policy envisions a world-class logistics network that is digitally integrated, industry-responsive, and globally competitive. Key priorities include:

Conclusion:

The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals represent a decisive step toward modernizing India's logistics sector. By combining infrastructure development with digital integration and private participation, they address long-standing inefficiencies while aligning with national economic goals. As implementation progresses, GCTs are poised to transform India's logistics landscape, making it more efficient, competitive, and future-ready.

References:

Ministry of Railways:

https://x.com/RailMinIndia/status/1991332583255478424

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/186/AU671_cWHwfg.pdf?sourcepqals

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU2967_ie0VNh.pdf?sourcepqals

https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID1814049®3&lang2

https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/traffic_comm/Freight_Marketing_2022/GCT%20-2022.pdf

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2136909®3&lang2

https://www.facebook.com/NRlyIndia/posts/sustainable-transport-boost-100th-rake-rolls-out-from-msil-manesarthis-achieveme/1269089571924456/

https://nfr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang0&dcd2908&id0,4,268

https://x.com/dfccil_india/status/1942872988933673181

Click here for pdf file

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.