India's Ports Plan Rs 10 Billion High-Speed Freight Systems

08 Sep 2025 CW Team

India’s major ports are accelerating cargo movement through advanced high-speed transport systems aimed at reducing turnaround times and lowering carbon emissions. Two key initiatives are underway at the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla, Gujarat, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Maharashtra.

At DPA, an 18-kilometre-long magnetic rail system is being planned to drastically reduce the time taken to transport freight within the port premises. The project is being developed in collaboration with global logistics major DP World and Polish firm Nevomo, known for its expertise in magnetic levitation rail technologies. The port is expected to invest approximately Rs 850 million in a demonstration project to trial the system.

Around 800 kilometres away, JNPA is exploring a hyperloop-based solution using linear induction motor technology. The proposed 20-kilometre hyperloop corridor will link the under-construction Vadhvan Port in Palghar district with the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), enabling high-speed cargo evacuation from the port to the hinterland.

JNPA has partnered with Chennai-based start-up TuTr Hyperloop Pvt Ltd to develop this pioneering project, which could mark one of India’s first serious ventures into hyperloop-enabled freight logistics.

These next-generation transport systems are part of a broader push to modernise India's port infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and align with national goals for green logistics and sustainable development. By slashing internal cargo movement times and minimising reliance on diesel-powered vehicles, both DPA and JNPA aim to significantly reduce emissions while bolstering port competitiveness.

The developments also signal a shift toward automation and cutting-edge technologies in India’s maritime sector, as ports prepare to handle growing cargo volumes and meet global environmental standards.

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