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Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Indian Express
To increase car loading in Railways, Union minister Vaishnaw inaugurates largest automobile in-plant railway siding in Manesar
In a significant step to increase the transportation of passenger vehicles or cars by Indian Railways, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw Tuesday inaugurated the country's largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (MMCT) at Maruti Suzuki India Ltd facility in Manesar, Haryana. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Maruti Suzuki India's CEO and managing director Hisashi Takeuchi were also present at the inauguration. Maruti Suzuki is the biggest manufacturer for car loading in Indian Railways. The Manesar in-plant railway siding has a total dispatch capability of 4,50,000 vehicles annually at full capacity. It is company's second in-plant railway siding facility. Vaishnaw said the Railways undertook major reforms in 2021 to strengthen multi-modal logistics, resulting in the construction of 108 MMCT in a short span of time. 'The terminal in Haryana, where the announcement was made, is spread over 45 acres and has a cargo handling capacity of up to 4.5 lakh cars… Legacy problems accumulated in Railways over the years are now being eliminated one by one. Stations, trains, toilets, tracks, cleanliness, technology — every sector has been improved comprehensively. New facilities are being provided to passengers and integrated development is being given priority in collaboration with the industry,' said Vaishnaw while addressing the gathering. The Manesar plant is connected to Patli railway station through a 10 km dedicated rail link. It is part of 121.7 km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC), which is being developed by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corp (HRIDC). Officials said that the 10 km railway line was developed at a cost of Rs 800 crore, of which Rs 684 crore was paid by HRIDC and the remaining by Maruti Suzuki. HRIDC is a joint venture of the Government of Haryana (51 per cent) and the Ministry of Railways (49 per cent). HORC is being developed to decongest the Delhi Railway Network by diverting the railway traffic not meant for Delhi. 'On June 17, the vehicles were dispatched to 17 hubs or railway slidings to cater to 380 cities. The siding at the Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant comprises four lines and two loading platforms. The biggest benefit of new siding will be the direct loading of the car consignment from the plant. It will end the need for transportation by road to Farukhnagar, Bawal, Palhawas or Gurugram stations. In all, it will reduce a total of. 65,000 truck trips per annum, reducing the congestion on road and saving fossil fuels,' said a senior official at the Ministry of Railways. The total loading of cars in the Indian Railways has crossed the 1 million target, the official added. 'The Rail Coefficient of India Railways has increased from 1.2 per cent in 2013-14 to 20.6 per cent in 2024-25. It means out of total car production in India, 20.6 per cent is being transported by the railways. In 2024-25, the total car production was 50.61 lakhs and out of this, 10.41 lakhs were transported by railways. It is mostly for domestic sales. Almost 50 per cent of total car loading is done by Maruti Suzuki,' said the official quoted above. Maruti Suzuki's Manesar facility was inaugurated in February 2007. Apart from this, India's largest car manufacturer has three more plants in Gurugram, Gujarat and Kharkhoda. 'The project (in-plant railway siding) underscores our strong commitment to India's Net Zero emissions target 2070. It will contribute to avoiding 1,75,000 tonne of CO2 emissions, saving 60 million litre of fuel annually at full capacity, and reducing road congestion. Lowering carbon emissions remains a top priority at Maruti Suzuki and we aim to achieve this, by increasing the share of vehicle dispatches through railways to 35 per cent by FY 2030-31,' said Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. Dheeraj Mishra is a Principal correspondent with The Indian Express, Business Bureau. He covers India's two key ministries- Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. He frequently uses the Right to Information (RTI) Act for his stories, which have resulted in many impactful reports. ... Read More
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Infra push on track: Railways opens largest auto cargo terminal at Manesar, Vaishnaw announces new MEMU and Amrit Bharat rollouts
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday inaugurated India's largest Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal for automobiles at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant, calling it a key step in boosting logistics efficiency for the sector. The new terminal, connected to Patli railway station via a 10-km dedicated rail link, is part of the 121.7-km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor being developed by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC). According to the Railway Ministry, the project involved an investment of Rs 800 crore, with HRIDC contributing Rs 684 crore and the remaining amount funded by Maruti Suzuki. The Manesar terminal has a loading capacity of 4.5 lakh automobiles per year, among the highest in the country. Vaishnaw, addressing the inauguration, said Indian Railways has seen strong momentum in capacity building across both freight and passenger services, PTI reported. 'In the last two and a half years, a focused campaign has been launched to increase the number of general coaches. Over 1,200 general coaches were added just in the past year,' he said. He announced that over 100 MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) trains will be upgraded to longer configurations — from 8–12 coaches to 16–20 coaches — to improve capacity for short-distance commuters. A new MEMU factory has been set up in Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh, for this purpose. On the rollout of Namo Bharat trains, he said 50 new trains will be produced to meet rising passenger demand. The minister highlighted that in FY 2023–24, Indian Railways carried 720 crore passengers and 1,617 million tonnes of freight, achieving the second-highest freight volume globally. He also detailed reforms in the Tatkal booking system set to begin July 1, 2025. For the first 30 minutes of the Tatkal window, bookings will be restricted to Aadhaar-authenticated and KYC-verified users, aimed at curbing misuse and improving access for genuine passengers. Vaishnaw mentioned a pilot project in the Bikaner Division, where passenger reservation charts are now being prepared 24 hours in advance instead of 4 hours before departure, as per the current norm. Speaking on the new Amrit Bharat Trains, he said three are already operational with strong public response. 'Six more will be launched soon, and 50 additional trains are under production,' he said. He added that the Railway Coach Factory in Sonipat is undergoing modernisation and will be inaugurated soon, playing a key role in expanding India's coach production capacity. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
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Business Standard
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Vaishnaw inaugurates cargo terminal at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar site
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday inaugurated the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar facility in Haryana. Touted as the largest automobile cargo terminal under the Gati Shakti initiative, the terminal is expected to significantly enhance freight capacity and industrial logistics. The terminal is connected to Patli railway station via a 10-kilometre dedicated rail corridor, which is a component of the 121.7-kilometre Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor developed by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC). The project was developed at a total cost of ₹800 crore, of which ₹684 crore was contributed by HRIDC, with the remainder financed by Maruti Suzuki. The cargo terminal can handle the loading of 450,000 automobiles annually. Railway development in Haryana Vaishnaw noted significant improvements in railway infrastructure funding and development for Haryana. 'Before 2014, the railway budget allocation for Haryana was only ₹300 crore. This year, it has increased to a record ₹3,416 crore,' he said. He added that 823 kilometres of new rail lines have been laid in the state in the past 11 years and that 100 per cent of Haryana's railway network is now electrified. The event was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Maruti Suzuki India CEO & MD Hisashi Takeuchi. The minister also shared that infrastructure projects worth ₹11,800 crore are currently underway in Haryana, including the redevelopment of 34 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, and the construction of 540 road overbridges and underpasses. Factory and train upgrades Highlighting upcoming developments, Vaishnaw announced that the Railway Coach Factory in Sonipat is undergoing modernisation and will soon be ready for inauguration. It is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing coach production capacity. In addition, over 100 Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains will be upgraded, increasing their composition from 8–12 coaches to 16–20 coaches. A new manufacturing facility in Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh, has been set up to support this expansion. Railways Budget and General Coaches Vaishnaw said the Indian Railways' annual budget has grown tenfold: 'Before 2014, the Railways' annual budget hovered around ₹24,000–25,000 crore. Now it has reached ₹2.5 trillion.' He added that amenities such as toilets, once absent at many stations, have now been widely introduced. A dedicated campaign over the past 2.5 years has resulted in the addition of over 1,200 General Coaches. Namo Bharat trains and passenger growth Encouraged by public demand, Vaishnaw announced the production of 50 new Namo Bharat trains, in addition to the two currently operational. He also said that the Indian Railways transported 7.2 billion passengers and 1,617 million tonnes of freight in FY 2023–24, making it the second-largest freight carrier globally. Tatkal ticket changes from July 1 A major change in Tatkal ticket bookings was also revealed: 'Starting July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated and KYC-verified users will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the window,' Vaishnaw said, adding that the move is aimed at curbing misuse and ensuring access for genuine passengers. Amrit Bharat trains to expand Speaking on the new-generation Amrit Bharat trains, the minister said: 'Three Amrit Bharat trains are currently operational and have received overwhelming public response. Six more are slated for launch soon, and production of 50 additional trains is underway.'
Mint
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant gets cargo rail link
Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday inaugurated India's largest automobile in-plant railway siding, developed under the PM Gati Shakti mission, at Maruti Suzuki India Ltd's Manesar facility in Haryana. The Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal, with a loading capacity of 450,000 vehicles per annum, is a key infrastructure development that significantly enhances the logistics efficiency of automobile transportation. The Maruti Suzuki facility has been connected to Patli railway station through a 10-kilometre dedicated rail link, which forms part of the 121.7 km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor being developed by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corp. (HRIDC) Ltd. The construction of this 10-km link involved an investment of ₹ 800 crore, with HRIDC contributing ₹ 684 crore and Maruti Suzuki funding the remaining amount. 'Before 2014, Indian Railways' annual budget hovered around ₹ 24,000–25,000 crore. Now, it has been increased to ₹ 2.5 trillion. In the last two and a half years, a focused campaign has been launched to increase the number of general coaches. More than 1,200 general coaches were added in just the past year,' Vaishnaw said. He added that a major decision was taken recently to upgrade passenger train services. Over 100 MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) trains will now be augmented—increasing their composition from 8 to 12 coaches to 16 to 20 coaches—greatly benefiting short-distance commuters. A new factory has been set up at Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh, for the manufacturing of these trains. Referring to the successful roll-out of Namo Bharat trains, he said: 'Encouraged by the strong public response to the two operational Namo Bharat trains, we have decided to produce 50 new Namo Bharat trains to cater to growing passenger demand.' On the passenger and freight performance, he said: 'In 2024-25, Indian Railways transported approximately 7,200 million passengers and 1,617 million tonnes of freight. This performance helped Indian Railways achieve the second-highest freight volume globally, marking the fiscal year a historic year.' Talking about passenger convenience, the minister announced a significant reform in Tatkal ticket booking, to be implemented from 1 July. 'As per the new rule, only Aadhaar-authenticated and KYC-verified users will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window. This measure will help ensure tickets are available to genuine passengers,' he said. He also spoke about an ongoing pilot project in the Bikaner Division, where passenger reservation charts are now being prepared 24 hours in advance, replacing the earlier norm of 4 hours before train departure. The initiative has received highly positive feedback from citizens and public representatives and is expected to significantly improve the travel experience. Discussing the roll-out of the Amrit Bharat trains, the minister stated, 'Three Amrit Bharat trains are currently operational and have received overwhelming public response. In the coming days, six more Amrit Bharat trains will be launched. Production of 50 more trains is underway, and more batches will follow.' Turning to developments in Haryana, he said prior to 2014, the annual railway budget allocation for the state was merely ₹ 300 crore. 'This year, Haryana has received a record allocation of ₹ 3,416 crore. In the last 11 years, 823 km of new rail lines have been laid in the state, and 100% of Haryana's railway network is now electrified,' he said. Highlighting ongoing infrastructure investment, he added: 'Currently, projects worth ₹ 11,800 crore are underway in Haryana. Redevelopment of 34 railway stations is in progress under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. In addition, 540 road overbridges and underpasses have been constructed across the state's railway network.' Vaishnaw also mentioned that the rail coach factory in Sonipat is undergoing modernization. 'The upgraded facility will soon be ready for inauguration and will play a key role in enhancing our coach production capacity,' he said.
India Today
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Maruti Suzuki inaugurates India's largest automobile in-plant railway siding at Manesar plant
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has commenced operations of India's largest in-plant railway siding at its Manesar manufacturing facility. Inaugurated by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the facility is aimed at boosting green logistics and streamlining vehicle dispatch as part of the 126km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC), the project is Maruti Suzuki's second in-plant railway terminal after Gujarat. Built in collaboration with Haryana Orbital Rail Corporation Ltd. (HORCL), this strategic initiative is aligned with the Government of India's PM GatiShakti National Master Plan for multi-modal over 46 acres, the railway siding is fully electrified and features four rake lines and one engine escape track, totaling 8.2km. At full capacity, it can dispatch 4.5 lakh vehicles annually to 17 distribution hubs across 380 cities in India, and port terminals like Mundra and Pipavav for exports. MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki, Hisashi Takeuchi, called it a 'landmark achievement' in the company's green logistics journey. 'This project is a significant step toward Maruti Suzuki's Net Zero emissions target for 2070. It is expected to save 60 million litres of fuel and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 1.75 lakh tonnes annually,' he 126 km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) links Sonipat to Palwal, passing through key locations such as Kharkhoda, Patli, Manesar, and Sohna. This ambitious project is being developed by Haryana Orbital Rail Corporation Limited (HORCL), a joint venture comprising the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HRIDC), Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HSIIDC), Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), All Cargo Logistics, and Maruti Suzuki. HRIDC has been entrusted with the construction of the entire corridor, which is expected to be completed over the next 5 to 6 years. The total estimated cost of the project is 11,709 crore. Equity contributions in the joint venture are distributed as follows: HRIDC – 55.4%, HSIIDC – 19%, Maruti Suzuki – 13%, All Cargo Logistics – 7.6%, and GMDA – 5%.advertisementAs part of the first phase, a 5.7 km rail stretch has been built to connect Patli—a junction on the existing railway network—with the new Manesar station on the HORC. Additionally, a 1.2 km track has been laid to link the Manesar station directly to Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant Suzuki has invested Rs 452 crore in the project— Rs 325 crore towards the HORC joint venture and Rs 127 crore for developing the internal railway yard. The facility also features a two-storey station building, dedicated tracks for personnel, advanced electronic interlocking systems, and comprehensive dispatch FY2014-15, the company has dispatched 2.5 million vehicles via rail. With this latest infrastructure addition, Maruti Suzuki plans to increase the share of vehicle dispatches through railways to 35% by FY2030-31, reinforcing its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate first phase of HORC includes a 5.7 km line from Patli to Manesar station and a further 1.2 km extension into the Manesar plant. The total estimated cost of the entire HORC project stands at Rs 11,709 to Auto Today Magazine
