+
Indian Railways Operate First Double-Stack Long-Haul Container Train
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Indian Railways Operate First Double-Stack Long-Haul Container Train

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.

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.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Madhya Pradesh Plans Airport Every 150 Km, Airstrip Every 75 Km

The Madhya Pradesh government plans to establish an airport every 150 km, an airstrip every 75 km and a helipad every 45 km, according to the state aviation department. Airports being developed in Ujjain and Shivpuri are expected to take the state’s airport count to 10. The government stated that Madhya Pradesh currently has eight airports in eight cities. The locations named by the department include Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Rewa and Satna. The state also has more than 20 airstrips and 220 helipads, while permanent helipads are planned in all 230 Assembly constituencies..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

West Bengal Plans Four Airports for 2028 Completion Under UDAN

West Bengal will develop four new airports under an agreement signed between the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the state government, with all facilities targeted for completion by 2028. Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the airports would be located at Charra in Purulia, Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur, Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur and Hasimara in Alipurduar. The project is part of the Centre’s regional connectivity UDAN programme. The Union government has committed Rs. 290 bn for West Bengal’s aviation sector over the next decade, while the state government will pro..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai Airport Bars Russian Airlines as Agent Seeks Ministry Intervention

Mumbai airport has stopped accepting cargo booked on Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, disrupting shipments and prompting the airline’s cargo sales agent, Delmos Aviation, to seek intervention from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The restrictions also affect cargo booked on Volga-Dnepr Airlines, according to a letter submitted by Delmos Aviation to the ministry on September 30. Aeroflot operates daily flights between Moscow and Delhi and runs a winter seasonal service to Goa. Bonded cargo from Mumbai and other cities is transported by road to Delhi before being flown to Russia. The agent said t..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code