SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG 13: Climate Action
Ministry of Railways
The Ministry of Railways has achieved a significant milestone under the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) Policy, 2021, with the approval of 306 GCT proposals, of which 118 have already been commissioned. These terminals, which integrate rail with roads, ports, and airports, have reached a combined handling capacity of 192 million tonnes per annum. Since the policy’s inception, approximately ₹8,600 crore in private investment has been mobilized, reflecting strong industry confidence in India’s logistics modernization. The operational success of GCTs is evident in the fourfold increase in freight revenue, which surged from ₹2,901 crore in 2022–23 to ₹12,608 crore in 2024–25.
To maximize efficiency, GCTs utilize 'Engine-on-Load' (EOL) operations to minimize detentions and ensure the optimal use of railway assets. This shift from road to rail has moved an additional 2,672 million tonnes of freight, resulting in a cumulative saving of 143.3 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions since 2014. Notable projects include the country’s largest automobile GCT at Manesar, Haryana, which can handle 4.5 lakh automobiles annually, and the New Sanjali GCT in Gujarat, the first facility built on private land under this policy.
What is ‘Engine-on-Load’ (EOL) operation in GCTs? It is a modern operational system where the locomotive (engine) remains attached to the train during the entire loading or unloading process at the terminal. Traditionally, engines were detached to perform other duties, leading to significant delays and detentions. Under EOL, the train can depart immediately once the cargo handling is finished within the permitted free time, ensuring optimal use of railway infrastructure and significantly reducing the wagon turnaround time.
Policy Relevance
The GCT policy is a key pillar of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, designed to reduce India’s logistics costs to a single-digit percentage of GDP (currently at 7.97%) while enhancing global trade competitiveness.
Strategic Impact for India:
Enhanced Ease of Doing Business: The policy offers a simplified application process with time-bound clearances and waives departmental charges and land license fees for railway land connectivity.
Private Sector Integration: By allowing terminals on both railway and non-railway land, the policy attracts large-scale private capital for infrastructure development and value-added services like warehousing and packaging.
Sustainability & Decarbonization: Shifting freight to rail, which is 90% cleaner than road transport, directly supports India’s commitment to achieving Net Zero targets and sustainable development goals.
Balanced Regional Development: The identification of GCT locations across diverse states, including six new terminals under construction in Assam, ensures inclusive growth and strengthens the supply chain in the Northeast region.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the GCT framework be further leveraged to integrate real-time digital tracking with the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) for seamless ‘port-to-factory’ visibility?
Follow the full news here: Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals Accelerate India’s Logistics Transformation