Indian Railways (IR) is preparing to introduce Gati Shakti Freight Trains, a new class of semi-high-speed services designed to accelerate cargo movement and strengthen supply chains across the country.
The trains, to be manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, will cater to e-commerce and FMCG logistics, featuring advanced container handling systems and improved crew facilities.
IR, which carries over 1.6 billion tonnes of freight annually, remains a backbone of bulk transport in India—moving coal, foodgrains, fertilizers, petroleum products and more. Rail freight volumes grew from 1,233 million tonnes in 2020-21 to 1,591 million tonnes in 2023-24, a rise of 29 percent. Rail transport also helps reduce carbon emissions, fuel costs, and highway congestion.
To further enhance efficiency, Railways is constructing two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC): the 1,337-km Eastern Corridor from Ludhiana to Sonnagar and the 1,506-km Western Corridor from JNPT to Dadri. Of the planned 2,843 km, 2,741 km (96.4%) is already operational, carrying 1,30,116 freight trains in FY 2024-25.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently told Parliament that IR is expanding its capacity through a “corridor approach,” prioritising routes for high traffic density, energy, minerals, and cement.
