NFR fast-tracks six new Gati Shakti cargo terminals; Baihata facility nears launch

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is accelerating work on six new Gati Shakti cargo terminals, with the first facility at Baihata in Assam’s Kamrup district set to become operational shortly. Officials said construction is nearing completion, and the terminal—built at a cost of ₹245 crore—is now undergoing mandatory safety clearances before opening for freight operations.

Once commissioned, the Baihata terminal is expected to significantly boost logistics capacity for industries across the Northeast, improving cargo movement and reducing transit bottlenecks.

The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy, launched in 2022, aims to encourage industry participation in developing modern freight handling infrastructure across the railway network. Until recently, the region had only two GCTs—at Moinarband near Silchar and Cinnamara near Jorhat. However, in February, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced an expansion plan to add six new terminals in Assam.

The upcoming terminals include facilities at Habaipur in Lanka under the Lumding Division, Jogighopa, Baihata, Kendukona’s Multi-Modal Logistics Terminal, HPCL’s terminal at Basugaon, and the Gati Shakti Multimodal Cargo Terminal at Chaygaon in the Rangiya Division.

NFR officials said these projects form part of a broader thrust under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to strengthen multimodal connectivity, enhance freight efficiency, and meet the region’s growing logistics requirements.