Manesar: In a major boost to India’s logistics and infrastructure capabilities, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw today inaugurated the country’s largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki India Limited’s Manesar facility in Haryana.
The new terminal is set to revolutionize automobile transportation by enhancing freight efficiency and reducing transit time. Strategically linked to Patli railway station via a dedicated 10-kilometre rail corridor, this facility is part of the larger 121.7 km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor project, being developed by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC).
Constructed with a total investment of ₹800 crore, the rail link witnessed ₹684 crore funding from HRIDC, with the remaining cost borne by Maruti Suzuki. With an annual loading capacity of 4.5 lakh vehicles, the terminal stands as one of the highest-capacity automobile logistics hubs in India.
A Decade of Transformation in Indian Railways
Addressing the gathering, Vaishnaw underlined the remarkable transformation of Indian Railways over the last ten years. “Prior to 2014, the annual railway budget was around ₹24,000–25,000 crore. Today, it has reached ₹2.5 lakh crore, enabling us to improve basic amenities and expand services,” he said.
He highlighted that more than 1,200 General Coaches were added in the last year alone, and a major upgrade of MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) trains is underway — increasing their capacity from 8 to up to 20 coaches to meet rising demand. A new MEMU production facility has also been established in Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh.
Expansion of Namo Bharat and Amrit Bharat Trains
On the modernisation front, the Minister announced the expansion of Namo Bharat semi-high-speed trains. “Following the overwhelming public response, we are now planning to roll out 50 new Namo Bharat trains,” he said.
He also shared updates on the Amrit Bharat Trains, stating that three are currently operational, six more will be launched shortly, and 50 additional trains are under production.
Record Freight and Passenger Movement
Highlighting performance metrics, Vaishnaw said the Indian Railways transported 720 crore passengers and 1,617 million tonnes of freight in FY 2023–24, earning it the distinction of the second-highest freight volume globally.
Reforms in Passenger Services
A key announcement involved reforms in Tatkal ticket booking, effective from 1st July 2025. For the first 30 minutes of the booking window, only Aadhaar-authenticated and KYC-verified users will be allowed to book tickets — a move aimed at curbing misuse and improving access for genuine travellers.
He also highlighted a successful pilot in the Bikaner Division, where reservation charts are being prepared 24 hours in advance, significantly improving travel planning.
Haryana’s Railway Leap
Focusing on regional development, the Minister said Haryana’s annual railway budget has increased from ₹300 crore in 2014 to ₹3,416 crore this year. In the past 11 years, 823 km of new railway lines have been laid in the state, and 100% of the network has been electrified.
Projects worth ₹11,800 crore are currently underway in Haryana, including the redevelopment of 34 stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, and construction of 540 road overbridges and underpasses to improve rail-road connectivity.
He concluded by noting the upcoming inauguration of the modernised Railway Coach Factory in Sonipat, which is set to play a pivotal role in increasing domestic coach manufacturing capacity.
