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The Union government has approved a ₹ 20,667 crore semi high-speed rail corridor between Ahmedabad and Dholera in Gujarat, a project that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and will help transform the state from a major manufacturing and logistics hub.
The 134 km double line rail project, cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, will connect Ahmedabad’s Sarkhej area with the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), the upcoming Dholera International Airport, and the Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex. The corridor is designed for semi-high speed “Namo Bharat” trains and is expected to support operations at speeds of up to 200 kmph.
According to Amit Shah, the project aligns with PM Modi’s vision of improving connectivity, industrial growth, and infrastructure development. He said the railway line would create jobs, strengthen logistics networks, and improve access to key industrial regions in Gujarat. The project will also connect to the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) at Moraiyya near Sanand.
The government aims to complete the project by 2030-31, with the corridor also expected to serve as a model for future semi-high-speed rail expansion across the country. The railway line is planned with indigenous technology as part of the government’s push for “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
Officials said the rail corridor will be India’s first semi-high-speed railway project developed using indigenous technology. The project is planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and is expected to improve connectivity for nearly 284 villages in the region.
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Indian Railways has introduced a dedicated parcel transportation service on the Delhi–Mumbai Tejas Rajdhani route, aiming to strengthen time-sensitive cargo movement between two of the country's largest commercial centres. The service is designed to provide faster transit for high-value and urgent shipments by leveraging the speed and reliability of one of India's premier passenger train corridors. Dedicated parcel capacity has been integrated into the Tejas Rajdhani network, allowing logistics providers and businesses to move consignments within a shorter delivery window compared with conventional rail freight services. The Delhi–Mumbai corridor is among India's busiest freight and trade routes, supporting significant volumes of e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, engineering products and industrial supplies. The addition of a dedicated parcel service is expected to improve cargo connectivity for businesses that require predictable transit schedules and quicker delivery cycles. Rail-based parcel transportation has gained increasing attention as companies seek alternatives to road freight amid rising fuel costs, highway congestion and sustainability concerns. By utilising scheduled passenger train operations, Indian Railways can offer fixed departure and arrival times, helping shippers improve inventory planning and supply chain visibility. Industry observers note that faster parcel movement through passenger train networks can support the growing demand for express logistics services, particularly from e-commerce and retail sectors. The service also aligns with broader efforts by Indian Railways to expand its role in the logistics market and attract cargo that traditionally moves by road. For supply chain operators, the dedicated parcel service provides an additional multimodal transport option on a strategically important route connecting the National Capital Region and Mumbai, India's financial hub. The initiative is expected to enhance rail's competitiveness in the express cargo segment while supporting more efficient movement of goods across western and northern India. The launch reflects Indian Railways' continuing focus on improving parcel logistics infrastructure and increasing the utilisation of premium rail corridors for freight movement alongside passenger operations. As demand for faster and more reliable cargo transportation grows, dedicated parcel services on high-speed routes could become an increasingly important component of India's logistics network. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR) has entered into an MoU with Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals Pvt. Ltd. (PSA Mumbai) — India’s largest container terminal facility at JNPA- Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority for collaboration in rail movement of inland, cabotage, and customs-cleared EXIM cargoes. The MoU was signed by Sanjay Swarup, Chairman & Managing Director, CONCOR, and Vincent Ng, Regional Chief Executive Officer – Middle East, South Asia, Africa & Turkiye, PSA International in presence of other high-level representatives from the two companies in New Delhi. The two entities plan to utilise their respective capabilities to ensure seamless connectivity between PSA Mumbai and Inland Container Depots (ICD), alongwith domestic facilities of CONCOR in India. The MoU seeks to achieve objectives that ensure smooth rail transport of domestic and containerised cargo as well as customs-cleared import and export containers between PSA Mumbai and CONCOR terminals. In addition, the partners will seek to minimise turnaround time and cost effectiveness. The partnership also signals how India’s logistics ecosystem is increasingly moving toward faster evacuation of containers, better hinterland connectivity, and more sustainable freight movement facilitated by rail-based solutions. As India accelerates its journey toward becoming a global manufacturing and export hub, strategic infrastructure collaborations like these will be instrumental in creating a stronger, more agile, and globally competitive logistics ecosystem. Visit CARGOCONNECT for more news & updates!
Maersk has launched a dedicated weekly reefer rail service linking Hyderabad’s pharmaceutical hub with Nhava Sheva port, marking a significant step toward more sustainable and efficient cold-chain logistics. Developed in collaboration with CONCOR, the service is designed to meet the pharmaceutical industry’s growing demand for dependable temperature-controlled transportation while also helping reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to conventional road freight. The new corridor has been designed specifically for Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical exporters, offering scheduled weekly movement of 40-foot refrigerated containers between the pharmaceutical hub and the port. The service incorporates pre-trip inspection compliance and carefully selected temperature-controlled containers to ensure cargo quality throughout transit. Under the arrangement, Maersk will manage the shipment process through a single-window model covering inland rail transportation, ocean freight, and cargo visibility across the supply chain. The integrated system is expected to streamline logistics operations for exporters handling sensitive pharmaceutical products. Thomas Theeuwes, Managing Director, Maersk South Asia, noted, “India is central to Maersk’s global growth ambitions, and we are committed to building logistics infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of the Indian industry.” He added that the pharmaceutical sector demands that cargo be moved with precision, reliability, and accountability at every step of the supply chain. The rail service will support exports to several international markets, including ports on the East Coast of North America such as Newark, Norfolk, Charleston, and Savannah, as well as destinations across Latin America, Europe, and other reefer trade routes. In addition to transportation, Maersk will provide exporters with documentation support, compliance assistance, cold-chain advisory services, and destination last-mile trucking when required. Sanjay Swarup, CMD CONCOR, highlighted, “Our collaboration with Maersk on this dedicated reefer rail corridor from Hyderabad reflects the confidence in rail as a reliable and efficient mode of transport for high-value, sensitive cargo.” He asserted that this is a significant step in strengthening India’s pharmaceutical export competitiveness, and we look forward to scaling this model further in partnership with industry. Industry observers believe the dedicated rail solution could address many of the operational challenges associated with road transportation, including delays caused by traffic congestion, driver fatigue, and compliance-related stoppages. The scheduled rail service is also expected to offer more reliable vessel loading, priority handling, and assured equipment availability for exporters. Maersk, which operates in more than 130 countries, has been expanding its integrated logistics capabilities while pursuing its target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Visit https://cargoconnect.co.in/ for more updates!
