What happened: Indian Railways’ multi-pronged push to raise rail freight
Indian Railways implemented a multi-pronged freight strategy to improve freight efficiency, strengthen regional connectivity, and provide first-mile and last-mile logistics support. The strategy links freight terminal capacity, rolling stock availability, and service delivery models to network capacity expansion through track commissioning and Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs).
What changed now (scheme-wise actions and reported outputs)
Indian Railways’ government-reported freight strategy has four major parts—terminal development, wagon investment schemes, parcel logistics through JPP-RCS, and door-to-door implementation through CONCOR—alongside large-scale network expansion and DFC operations.
(1) Terminal development through Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy and goods shed upgrades: Indian Railways adopted a two-pronged approach for improving terminal freight handling efficiency: (a) encouraging modern rail freight terminals under the GCT policy and (b) upgrading and augmenting infrastructure at railway-owned goods sheds. The GCT policy encourages cargo terminals through private investment. Government information reports the following terminal outcomes: 142 GCTs commissioned, estimated handling capacity of 224 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), and about ₹10,000 crore of private investment mobilised under the policy. Freight handled at these GCTs during 2025-26 is reported as 146 MT.
(2) Wagon investment schemes for private sector investment in wagons: Indian Railways reports schemes that support private investment in commodity-focused specialized wagons and other wagon categories. Government information reports about 275 rakes of special purpose (commodity-focused specialized) wagons operational, and about 397 rakes of general-purpose wagons operational. A separate automobile transport scheme (industry-owned rakes) reports about 54 industry-owned rakes operational.