Improving Intermodal Connectivity for Freight Movement
PORTS & SHIPPING

Improving Intermodal Connectivity for Freight Movement

The current share of Inland Water Transport (IWT) in India’s total freight traffic stands at around 2 per cent, while railways and road transport account for approximately 18 per cent and 71 per cent respectively, as per the 2021 NITI Aayog report, Fast Tracking Freight in India. In an effort to reduce logistics costs and enhance intermodal connectivity, the government has undertaken several initiatives aimed at improving coordination between waterways, railways, and road networks.

To boost the use of IWT, Multi Modal Terminals (MMTs) have been integrated at key locations such as Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia, along with an intermodal terminal at Kalughat. These terminals on National Waterway-1 (NW-1) are also connected to the Shyama Prasad Mookherjee Port in Kolkata, creating a seamless flow of goods across transport modes.

Further, a Freight Village has been developed at Varanasi, serving as a cargo aggregation hub, while an Integrated Cluster-cum-Logistics Park has been established at Sahibganj to enhance cargo handling and storage capacities along NW-1.

Various ministries, including Petroleum and Natural Gas, Co-operation, Fertiliser, Food & Public Distribution, Heavy Industries, Steel, and Coal, have been advised to encourage Public Sector Undertakings under their purview to shift a portion of their cargo movement to the IWT mode. This strategic shift aims to promote a more sustainable and cost-effective freight transportation system.

The construction of the Inter-Modal Terminal (IMT) at Kalughat has been completed. This terminal is designed to cater to cargo traffic from north Bihar and Nepal, with traffic studies indicating a significant role for IMT Kalughat in increasing freight movement, particularly in the Saran region of Bihar.

The current share of Inland Water Transport (IWT) in India’s total freight traffic stands at around 2 per cent, while railways and road transport account for approximately 18 per cent and 71 per cent respectively, as per the 2021 NITI Aayog report, Fast Tracking Freight in India. In an effort to reduce logistics costs and enhance intermodal connectivity, the government has undertaken several initiatives aimed at improving coordination between waterways, railways, and road networks. To boost the use of IWT, Multi Modal Terminals (MMTs) have been integrated at key locations such as Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia, along with an intermodal terminal at Kalughat. These terminals on National Waterway-1 (NW-1) are also connected to the Shyama Prasad Mookherjee Port in Kolkata, creating a seamless flow of goods across transport modes. Further, a Freight Village has been developed at Varanasi, serving as a cargo aggregation hub, while an Integrated Cluster-cum-Logistics Park has been established at Sahibganj to enhance cargo handling and storage capacities along NW-1. Various ministries, including Petroleum and Natural Gas, Co-operation, Fertiliser, Food & Public Distribution, Heavy Industries, Steel, and Coal, have been advised to encourage Public Sector Undertakings under their purview to shift a portion of their cargo movement to the IWT mode. This strategic shift aims to promote a more sustainable and cost-effective freight transportation system. The construction of the Inter-Modal Terminal (IMT) at Kalughat has been completed. This terminal is designed to cater to cargo traffic from north Bihar and Nepal, with traffic studies indicating a significant role for IMT Kalughat in increasing freight movement, particularly in the Saran region of Bihar.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Adani wins Kedarnath ropeway project to cut trek to 36 minutes

Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) has secured the contract to build a 12.9-km ropeway connecting Sonprayag with Kedarnath, a project expected to transform the pilgrimage experience. Awarded by National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), the project will be executed under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana.Currently, pilgrims undertake a gruelling nine-hour trek to Kedarnath. The ropeway will reduce this journey to just 36 minutes and can transport 1,800 passengers per hour in each direction, serving the nearly 20 lakh devotees who visit annually.The Rs 25,0..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Gurugram Rapid Metro to shift from DMRC to GMRL control

The Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation Limited (HMRTC) has begun the process of transferring Gurugram’s Rapid Metro operations from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to Gurugram Metro Rail Limited (GMRL). The decision was taken at HMRTC’s 62nd Board meeting, chaired by chief secretary Anurag Rastogi.Committees have been formed to oversee the transition, covering technical, legal, and operational aspects, with definitive timelines being prepared. Until the transfer is complete, the system will be managed jointly by DMRC and GMRL.The Rapid Metro has shown notable performance impr..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Chandigarh Metro cost climbs to Rs 25,000 crore amid delays

The long-awaited Chandigarh Tricity Metro project has seen its estimated cost balloon to nearly Rs 25,000 crore, following delays in approvals by the Union Territory administration. The cost, which stood at Rs 23,263 crore in February 2025, has risen by Rs 1,737 crore in just seven months, according to officials.The matter was raised during the transport standing committee meeting of the Administrator’s Advisory Council, chaired by AAP state president Vijay Pal. A presentation by Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) strongly recommended that the Metro is the most suitable mass r..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?