Indian Railways launched its first assured transit time container train service on a pilot basis between Delhi and Kolkata from October 1, according to officials. The train services will commence from Tughlakabad in Delhi and will reach Kolkata through Agra and Kanpur in a guaranteed transit time of 120 hours, marking a crucial milestone in the logistics sector.
A senior railway official mentioned to the PTI that the train will be operated by Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) and it will connect four inland Container Depots (ICDs) on the route starting from Tughlakabad in Delhi. So the route will be Tughlakabad (TICD), Agra (ICDY), Kanpur (ICDG), and Kolkata (CTKR/CTCS).
Services will be available on a bi-weekly schedule
The Railway Board announced in a statement that ‘’it will run on a bi-weekly schedule, departing every Wednesday and Saturday. A unique feature of this service is the hub-and-spoke cargo facility at Kanpur and Agra. This will enable efficient cargo aggregation for a wider catchment area.”
Customers to benefit from cost-effectiveness and reliability
Additionally, customers will also get to benefit from the waiver of empty wagon haulage charges from Tughlakabad to Kanpur, further enhancing cost efficiency, it mentioned.
Officials also confirmed that if the train or some of the containers remain empty from the starting point at Tughlakabad to Kanpur, the loss will not be compensated by charging additional charges from the customers.
As per the Ministry of Railways, the pilot projects are projected to provide multiple advantages to customers. Some of these are door-to-door assured and reliable delivery for time-sensitive cargo. These services will also serve as competitive alternative options to road transport and enhanced connectivity for northern region cargo.
‘’It will also contribute to sustainability by promoting a modal shift from road to rail, decreasing the carbon footprint, and supporting India’s commitment to green logistics. Through this initiative, CONCOR restates its focus on customer-centric, reliable, and sustainable logistics solutions,’’ the ministry further mentioned.
The launch of this assured transit train service will serve as a transformative step towards a more efficient and environmentally responsible supply chain ecosystem.