Indian Railways (IR) has operated its first double-stack long-haul container train, starting from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai to Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) Goods Cargo Terminal (GCT) at Varnama in Vadodara Division. The train carried 360 TEUs and departed JNPT at seven pm on August 21, covering approximately 422 km in the pilot run. The development was described in an official release.

The long-haul formation comprised two double-stack rakes, with the leading rake hauled by locomotive number 60311 and reporting a tonnage of 1,817 tonnes, while the trailing rake was hauled by locomotive number 24690 with a tonnage of 2,105 tonnes. Together the two rakes moved the 360 TEUs in a single operation, demonstrating capacity to handle larger volumes of containerised freight on long-distance corridors. The system leveraged electric traction on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.

The government said the pilot is intended to unlock long-term benefits by raising returns from a single train movement, improving transport efficiency and reducing road traffic congestion. Officials indicated that moving greater container volumes per trip can ease pressure at congested terminals and ports and may lower overall transportation costs by achieving higher utilisation of train formations. The pilot is intended to test operational parameters for routine deployment on key freight corridors.

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta marked the milestone on social platforms and authorities described the run as a step change in freight and logistics capability. Officials said wider adoption could encourage diversion of cargo from road to rail and deliver environmental advantages as electric haulage reduces fossil fuel use and urban congestion. The move is expected to support faster delivery schedules and more efficient use of the national rail network.