Indian Railways launches dedicated cargo trains

Indian Railways has introduced dedicated cargo trains—Annapurna Service, Gati-Vahan service, Niryat Cargo Service, and Anantnag Cement Cargo Service—to link production hubs with consumption centres. Covering foodgrains, automobiles, containers, and cement, these services cut transit times significantly, streamline labour and truck operations, and ensure reliable, industry-aligned logistics, strengthening regional connectivity and boosting trade efficiency.

Indian Railways has launched scheduled, commodity-specific, time-tabled cargo services to enhance freight logistics by linking key production and consumption hubs across northern India. The initiative aims to provide reliable transit times, improve customer satisfaction, and offer industry-oriented logistics solutions.

The services include four specialised trains: 

• the Annapurna Service from Ludhiana to Varanasi, transporting foodgrains over 704 km in 17 hours; 
• the Gati-Vahan Service from Farrukhnagar (Haryana) to Lucknow for automobiles, reducing transit time from 70 hours to 28 hours over a 557 km route; 
• the Niryaat Cargo Service from Garhi to Mundra Port, covering 1,061 km in 32 hours for container traffic; and 
• the Anantnag Cement Cargo Service from Roopnagar (Punjab) to Anantnag (Jammu & Kashmir), moving cement across 586 km in 31 hours.

The rollout followed extensive coordination with key stakeholders such as the Food Corporation of India (FCI), automobile manufacturers, container train operators, and other railway zones to identify efficient routes across inter-divisional and inter-zonal networks. 

Initially introduced as trial runs, the services have now stabilised and are operating smoothly.

Customer feedback has been positive. FCI praised the Annapurna Service for improving foodgrain dispatch from surplus regions to deficit areas, facilitating better labour and truck planning at unloading sites. Maruti Suzuki highlighted the Gati-Vahan Service’s sharp reduction in transit time, making rail transport comparable to road logistics. Exporters using the Niryaat Service reported delivery to Mundra Port within 40 hours, aiding timely coordination with ports and shipping companies. Cement firms also welcomed the dedicated service and new Anantnag goods shed, which improved rake dispatches despite weather challenges.

Indian Railways’ scheduled cargo services, with fixed timings and advance train information, are helping consignors and consignees plan logistics more effectively. By enhancing predictability and efficiency, the initiative strengthens freight connectivity while supporting industry, trade, and regional development.