Union Minister for Railways, Communications and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, virtually inaugurated India’s first integrated logistics hub at Sonik and flagged off two new door-to-door freight services on 11 October 2025, marking a major transformation in Indian Railways’ cargo operations.

Speaking at the event, Vaishnaw said the new model would bridge the crucial gap between factories and railway terminals, enabling industries to move goods without filling entire rakes. “Enterprises can now send any number of containers directly to their destinations,” he stated, adding that the system would reduce logistics costs and improve overall efficiency.

The Sonik logistics hub, managed by Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), is strategically located between Lucknow and Kanpur — about 50 kilometres from Lucknow and 20 kilometres from Kanpur. Designed as a multimodal cargo terminal, it offers warehousing, inventory management, and distribution services. The facility will handle varied cargo, including fertilisers, food grains, cement, and agricultural machinery.

Alongside the inauguration, two innovative freight services were launched. The first is an assured transit container train connecting Delhi and Kolkata via Agra and Kanpur, guaranteeing delivery within 120 hours. Operating twice a week — every Wednesday and Saturday — it offers flexible booking through CONCOR’s mobile app, allowing users to choose door-to-door, door-to-terminal, or terminal-to-terminal services.

The second is a door-to-door parcel van service between Mumbai and Kolkata, already used by major brands such as Castrol India, VIP Industries, Godrej, and Nestlé. This service has achieved a 7.5 per cent reduction in logistics costs and cut transit times by nearly 30 per cent compared to road transport, demonstrating the efficiency of rail-based logistics.

Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar said the development marks Indian Railways’ transition from being a traditional transporter to a complete logistics solution provider. “This initiative reflects the vision of Viksit Bharat, allowing consignments to move seamlessly from warehouses to final destinations,” he noted.

Vaishnaw also announced that Indian Railways will soon expand affordable rail-based transport for agricultural and construction equipment, such as tractors and JCBs, benefiting farmers and infrastructure sectors. Beginning with the Mumbai–Kolkata corridor, these services will progressively cover more cities nationwide.

As the world’s second-largest freight carrier, moving over 1.6 billion tonnes annually, Indian Railways continues to strengthen its logistics ecosystem through the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals initiative. Under this programme, 115 multimodal terminals have already been developed to enhance efficiency and connectivity across India’s logistics network.