India’s Largest Auto Cargo Terminal Inaugurated At Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar Plant

New Delhi, Jun 18 (KNN) Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India's largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki India Limited's manufacturing facility in Manesar, Haryana, on Tuesday.

The terminal represents a significant development under the government's Gati Shakti initiative, which focuses on creating integrated and efficient logistics infrastructure across the country.

The newly inaugurated facility is connected to Patli railway station through a dedicated 10-kilometer rail link and forms an integral part of the 121.7-kilometer-long Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor.

The corridor is being developed by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC) as part of broader infrastructure enhancement efforts in the region.

The terminal project was completed at a total investment of Rs 800 crore, with HRIDC contributing Rs 684 crore and Maruti Suzuki funding the remaining amount.

The facility boasts a vehicle loading capacity of 4.5 lakh units annually, establishing it as India's highest-capacity automobile cargo terminal.

During the inauguration ceremony, Minister Vaishnaw emphasised the substantial transformation of Indian Railways over the past decade.

He noted that the annual railway budget has increased from approximately Rs 25,000 crore before 2014 to Rs 2.5 lakh crore currently, demonstrating the government's commitment to railway infrastructure development.

The minister outlined several upcoming improvements to passenger services, including plans to upgrade over 100 MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) trains to 16-20 coaches to accommodate growing short-distance passenger demand.

Additionally, a new MEMU manufacturing facility has been commissioned in Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh, to support this expansion.

Vaishnaw highlighted Indian Railways' performance during the 2023-24 financial year, reporting the transportation of 720 crore passengers and 1,617 million tonnes of freight.

This achievement positions India as the world's second-largest freight rail network, underscoring the sector's significant contribution to the national economy.

The minister announced important changes to the Tatkal ticket booking system, effective July 1.

During the first 30 minutes of the booking window, reservations will be restricted to Aadhaar-authenticated and KYC-verified users, aimed at improving the booking process and reducing irregularities.

Railway operations are also being modernized through various pilot projects, including an initiative in Bikaner Division where reservation charts are prepared 24 hours in advance, compared to the current four-hour timeframe.

This change is expected to enhance passenger convenience and operational efficiency.

Regarding train services expansion, Vaishnaw reported that three Amrit Bharat trains are currently operational, with six additional trains scheduled for launch soon.

The production of 50 more trains is currently underway to meet increasing passenger demand across various routes.

The minister specifically addressed Haryana's railway infrastructure development, noting a substantial increase in the state's railway budget allocation from Rs 300 crore in 2014 to Rs 3,416 crore in 2024.

Over the past 11 years, 823 kilometers of new rail lines have been constructed in the state, and the entire railway network in Haryana has achieved 100 per cent electrification.

Currently, infrastructure projects worth Rs 11,800 crore are being implemented across Haryana, encompassing the redevelopment of 34 railway stations and the construction of 540 road overbridges and underpasses.

These projects are designed to improve connectivity and reduce traffic congestion at railway crossings.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Industries Minister Rao Narbir Singh, local MLA Mukesh Sharma, and Maruti Suzuki India Limited Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi.

Their presence underscored the collaborative effort between central government, state government, and private sector in developing transportation infrastructure.

(KNN Bureau)