Indian Railways has rolled out scheduled, commodity-specific cargo services aimed at reducing transit times and improving freight reliability across northern India. The initiative connects key production and consumption hubs with dedicated services for food grains, automobiles, containers, and cement.
The new services include:
- Annapurna Service: Ludhiana–Varanasi, transporting food grains over 704 km in 17 hours.
- Gati-Vahan Service: Farrukhnagar (Haryana)–Lucknow, carrying automobiles 557 km in 28 hours, down from the earlier 70 hours.
- Niryaat Cargo Service: Garhi–Mundra Port, moving containers 1,061 km in 32 hours.
- Anantnag Cement Cargo Service: Roopnagar (Punjab)–Anantnag (J&K), delivering cement 586 km in 31 hours.
According to the railways, these services were designed in consultation with major freight stakeholders, including the Food Corporation of India, automobile companies, container operators, and cement producers. Initially trial runs, the trains are now operating as stabilized, regular services.
Industry response has been positive:
- FCI credited the Annapurna Service with faster dispatch of food grains from surplus regions, enabling better labor and truck planning.
- Maruti Suzuki highlighted the Gati-Vahan Service for reducing transit time from 70 to 28 hours, bringing delivery timelines on par with road transport.
- Exporters reported improved coordination with ports through the Niryaat Cargo Service, with transit to Mundra Port consistently under 40 hours.
- Cement producers welcomed the Anantnag service for streamlining dispatches despite weather challenges.
Indian Railways said the scheduled operations, with fixed timetables and advance information on arrivals and departures, are helping consignors and consignees plan more effectively, enhancing predictability and efficiency. The initiative, it added, underscores its commitment to offering world-class, industry-aligned freight solutions.
Join our WhatsApp channel for more updates:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more updates:
