Indian Railways unveils door-to-door freight services to cut logistics costs

In a major step toward modernizing India’s freight transport ecosystem, Indian Railways has rolled out a suite of door-to-door logistics services designed to close last-mile delivery gaps and reduce logistics costs. The initiatives include a Mumbai–Kolkata door-to-door parcel service, an Assured Transit Container Train Service (Delhi–Kolkata), and the inauguration of the Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub at Unnao, near Lucknow.

Unveiling the services, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the new offerings would transform the Railways from a bulk freight carrier into a full-service logistics partner. “Door-to-door services are essential for the country. This initiative will make rail transport more efficient, affordable, and accessible. Even goods like tractors will now move by rail,” he said.

The move allows industries to ship smaller quantities — such as a few containers — rather than booking an entire rake, opening up rail logistics to a wider range of businesses and sectors.

Vaishnaw added that this marks a shift in the Railways’ mindset: “Until now, railways have been primarily bulk transporters. By integrating road and rail logistics, we are bridging the gap between factories and railway loading or unloading points. These comprehensive door-to-door solutions will redefine India’s freight movement.”

The Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub, managed by Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), sits strategically between Lucknow and Kanpur. It brings together warehousing, distribution, and inventory management, serving as a multimodal logistics node for North India. The facility will handle key commodities such as fertilisers, cement, food grains, and agricultural machinery — linking production centres directly with end users.

The Assured Transit Container Train Service between Delhi and Kolkata guarantees delivery within 120 hours, with bi-weekly operations and flexible booking options — door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, or hybrid. Shipments can be booked and tracked via the CONCOR e-Logistics mobile app.

The Door-to-Door Parcel Service connecting Bhiwandi Road (near Mumbai) and Sankrail (near Kolkata) spans 1,930 kilometres and integrates first-mile pickup, middle-mile rail transport, and last-mile delivery into a seamless three-tier logistics chain. Jointly managed by Indian Railways and CONCOR, the service has already demonstrated 7.5% lower logistics costs and 30% faster delivery compared with traditional road transport.

Together, these initiatives signal a significant evolution in India’s freight strategy — from moving bulk goods to providing integrated, multimodal logistics solutions that align with the nation’s drive to make supply chains faster, greener, and more cost-effective.