South Central Railway has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore to undertake a comprehensive study of the freight logistics market. The collaboration will examine current freight flows, modal share, infrastructure constraints and regulatory factors affecting rail freight performance. The study aims to identify measures to optimise freight operations, enhance capacity utilisation and improve coordination with other transport modes.

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore will apply analytical tools and stakeholder consultations to map demand patterns and assess commercial opportunities for the railway. The research will consider terminal handling, first and last mile connectivity and the role of technology in tracking and inventory management. Findings are expected to propose actionable recommendations for policy makers, operators and private sector logistics providers to increase rail freight attractiveness.

The exercise will also evaluate infrastructure investment priorities and potential institutional reforms to streamline cargo handling and tariff frameworks. It will explore opportunities for multimodal integration, sheds rationalisation and demand aggregation that could reduce transit times and costs for shippers. The partners will engage with state authorities, ports, freight forwarders and industry associations to ensure the study reflects ground realities.

South Central Railway anticipates that the study will inform medium term planning for freight corridors and spurs targeted investments to support industrial corridors. The collaboration is positioned as a strategic effort to strengthen the railway contribution to national supply chains and to encourage modal shift from road to rail where viable. The outcomes are intended to support sustainable freight growth while balancing commercial viability and service quality for consignors.

The institute will prepare a detailed report and an implementation roadmap that rail planners can adopt. This work is expected to highlight quick wins and longer term interventions to improve throughput and asset productivity across the South Central Railway network.