Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals Reduce Logistics Costs

29 Jul 2026 CW Team

The Ministry of Railways has launched the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy to encourage private investment in cargo terminals. Locations for Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals are selected on the basis of industrial demand, cargo traffic potential, availability of railway infrastructure and overall logistics potential of the area. The policy documentation sets out commercial terms and operational modalities for private investors. So far, 142 GCTs have been commissioned and in-principle approvals have been granted for development at 310 additional locations.

The 142 commissioned GCTs have an estimated freight handling capacity of 224 million tonnes per annum (224 mn t per annum). Freight handled at these terminals during 2025-26 totalled 146 million tonnes (146 mn t). Concentration of handling capacity across commissioned terminals has created regional hubs that handle bulk consignments more efficiently. The terminals serve key sectors including cement, steel, power and agriculture and are designed to streamline movement of bulk commodities.

The policy has mobilised private investment of approximately Rs 100 billion (Rs 100 bn) through the terminals to date. Officials indicated that private sector participation and the modal shift enabled by multimodal terminals are central to reducing logistics costs for bulk industries. The packaged approach aims to attract long term private capital while leveraging existing railway assets and installed capacity.

Location decisions and the staged commissioning of terminals are intended to align capacity with regional demand and existing network strengths. The ministry signalled that continued approvals and commissioning will aim to consolidate freight corridors and improve supply chain efficiency across industrial and agricultural supply chains. The rollout to date is presented as part of a strategic push to modernise freight infrastructure and lower logistics overheads for industry.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..