310 More Cargo Terminals Approved as Railways Expands Multimodal Freight Infrastructure; Warehousing, Cold Storage and Rail Connectivity to Benefit Agriculture, Manufacturing and Logistics Sectors

Key Highlights

• 142 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) operational across India.
• 310 additional terminals receive In-Principle Approval (IPA).
• Existing GCTs offer 224 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) freight handling capacity.
• Around ₹10,000 crore in private investment mobilised under the policy.
• 146 million tonnes (MT) of freight handled through GCTs during FY 2025-26.
• Modern terminals support warehousing, silos, cold storage and multimodal logistics infrastructure.
• Key sectors benefiting include cement, steel, power, mining, agriculture, food grains, fertilizers, automobiles and manufacturing.
• Railways says the initiative is helping reduce logistics costs while shifting freight from road to rail.

Indian Railways Expands Gati Shakti Cargo Network with 142 Operational Terminals

The Ministry of Railways has announced that 142 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs) are now operational across the country, marking a major milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen freight infrastructure through private sector participation.

According to the government, the terminals together provide an estimated 224 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) freight handling capacity while attracting nearly ₹10,000 crore in private investment. During 2025-26, these facilities handled approximately 146 million tonnes of freight, reflecting growing adoption of rail-based logistics.

To further expand the network, 310 additional cargo terminals have already received In-Principle Approval (IPA) for development.

Reducing Logistics Costs Across Industries

The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Policy aims to establish modern freight terminals based on industrial demand, cargo potential and railway connectivity.

The terminals handle a diverse range of commodities including:

• Cement
• Steel
• Food grains
• Fertilizers
• Coal
• Fly ash
• Minerals
• Containers
• Automobiles
• Agricultural produce
• Other bulk and non-bulk cargo

By improving first-mile and last-mile connectivity, the terminals are helping industries reduce transportation costs while improving wagon turnaround and encouraging freight movement from road to rail.

Warehousing, Cold Storage and Agriculture Receive Major Boost

Beyond freight movement, the policy is driving development of integrated logistics infrastructure including:

• Warehousing
• Silos
• Cold storage facilities
• Rail-linked logistics parks
• Value-added cargo infrastructure

The government says these facilities will improve market access for farmers, strengthen agricultural supply chains and support local industries by creating efficient multimodal logistics ecosystems.

State-wise Expansion Continues

Among the states highlighted:

• Andhra Pradesh has 5 operational GCTs and 14 additional approved locations, including the operational terminal at Tummalacheruvu (Palnadu), which handled 1.214 MT of freight during 2025-26.
• Rajasthan has 10 commissioned terminals with 15 more approved.
• Odisha has 12 operational terminals and 36 additional approved locations.
• Bihar has 5 operational terminals with 8 more approved.
• Madhya Pradesh currently has 5 commissioned GCTs and approvals for 19 more.
• Karnataka has 4 operational terminals with 18 additional approvals.

The Ministry also clarified that proposals for cargo terminals at Narkatiaganj (Bihar) and Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh) have not yet been received from industry, while a proposal for Porjanpur in Odisha’s Keonjhar constituency remains under consideration.

Impact on Logistics, Hospitality and Supply Chains

The rapid expansion of Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals is expected to significantly strengthen India’s logistics ecosystem. Faster and more reliable movement of agricultural produce, food products, cement, steel and consumer goods can improve supply chain efficiency for hotels, restaurants, food processors and tourism businesses.

Improved cold-chain infrastructure is particularly important for the hospitality industry, helping reduce wastage while ensuring quicker distribution of fresh produce, dairy, seafood and other perishables. The increased use of rail freight also supports sustainability goals by lowering transportation costs and reducing dependence on road logistics.

As India continues investing in multimodal freight infrastructure, the GCT network is poised to become a key pillar in enhancing regional economic development, industrial competitiveness and efficient nationwide cargo movement.