Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal

India is rapidly improving its transport and logistics infrastructure to support economic growth and faster connectivity.

A major step in this direction is the launch of the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki Manesar logistics hub in Haryana.

This terminal is now India’s largest automobile freight terminal and marks a significant move toward building a strong multi-modal logistics infrastructure in India.

What is the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal?

The Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal was inaugurated by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as part of a broader mission to boost logistics capacity in India.

Located within Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar logistics hub, this terminal is designed to improve the rail-based transport of vehicles and other freight items.

• It connects to Patli Railway Station via a 10 km dedicated rail link.

• This link is a part of the 121.7 km-long Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor project.

• The terminal supports faster, more cost-effective vehicle transport by rail.

• This project plays a key role in expanding freight corridor railway connectivity and is a model for future rail-linked cargo terminals in India.

Investment and Public-Private Partnership

• The Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal was built with a total investment of ₹800 crore.

• ₹684 crore was funded by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation.

• The remaining investment was made by Maruti Suzuki.

This makes it a perfect example of public-private logistics projects in India, where the government and private companies work together to build better transport systems.

Capacity and Benefits

This terminal can handle 4.5 lakh automobiles per year, making it one of the highest-capacity automobile freight terminals in India. Benefits include:

• Faster delivery of vehicles to markets across the country

• Reduced road congestion and pollution

• More efficient use of railway tracks for cargo

• It also adds to India’s growing Indian Railways cargo handling capacity, which is among the highest in the world.

Indian Railways: Modernization and Growth

The Indian Railways has seen major upgrades in recent years:

• The annual budget has increased from ₹24,000 crore in 2014 to ₹2.5 lakh crore in 2024.

• In FY 2023-24, Indian Railways carried 720 crore passengers and 1,617 million tonnes of freight, the second-highest freight volume globally.

• More than 1,200 general coaches were added in the last year to improve passenger services.

Passenger Train Upgrades

• The government is also modernizing trains and factories:

• MEMU trains will now have 16 to 20 coaches instead of 8 to 12, helping short-distance travelers.

• A new factory in Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh, will manufacture over 100 MEMU trains.

• New trains like Namo Bharat and Amrit Bharat have started to improve the passenger experience.

• Three Amrit Bharat trains are already running, and six more will be launched soon. Production of 50 more is in progress.

Ticket Booking Reforms

A new rule for Tatkal ticket booking will begin from 1st July 2025:

• Only Aadhaar-authenticated users can book Tatkal tickets in the first 30 minutes.

• A pilot project in Bikaner is already preparing reservation charts 24 hours before travel to help improve planning.

Haryana’s Rail Development Progress

Haryana has seen huge developments in rail infrastructure:

• The rail budget increased from ₹300 crore to ₹3,416 crore in 11 years.

• 823 km of new rail lines were laid.

• The entire state’s railway network is now fully electrified.

• ₹11,800 crore worth of railway projects are ongoing, including the redevelopment of 34 railway stations.

Additionally, the Railway Coach Factory in Sonipat is being upgraded to increase the production of modern railway coaches.

Integration with National Infrastructure

Projects like the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal are part of India’s effort to build an integrated transport infrastructure. This means:

Rail, road, ports, and airports will be connected better.

• Goods and passengers can move more efficiently.

• India’s logistics performance and global competitiveness will improve.

The Ashwini Vaishnaw railway infrastructure launch reflects this larger mission under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

Why SSC Aspirants Should Remember This

This entire development is important for SSC aspirants:

• It covers Indian Railways, infrastructure, and government policy—frequently asked topics in SSC exams.

• Projects like the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal show how the public and private sectors are working together for national growth.

• You can use this example in descriptive papers or essays about infrastructure and development.

Final Thoughts

The Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal is not just a railway terminal—it’s a symbol of India’s growing strength in smart logistics, infrastructure, and digital integration.

Along with efforts in passenger services, rail electrification, and digital booking reforms, Indian Railways is becoming a modern and efficient network.