With this inauguration, India has put a major leap forward in the logistics and transportation sector with the establishment of the largest private freight terminal for automobiles at Manesar, Haryana, on the 17th of June, 2025, by the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw himself.
The terminal is part of the operation given to Gati Shakti, the big infrastructure initiative undertaken by the government to push faster infrastructure and logistics efficiencies, especially for industries such as automobile manufacturing.
The Manesar facility was developed under the PPP mode in conjunction with GATX India and is romanticized to act as a catalyst in transforming freight movement in the country.
So here are the Top 10 Takeaways from this launch and what that means for the bigger logistics ecosystem in India:
Manesar Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) is currently the largest Cargo terminal of its kind dedicated to automobile cargo at the scale capacity of over 25 rakes per month.
This terminal lies close to major automotive hubs of Gurugram and Bhiwadi and offers direct rail connectivity to the principal car manufacturers, such as Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp, as a faster and more reliable alternative to roadways.
On the road-to-rail mode switching, manufacturers enjoy about a 30-40% discount on freight charges and a decreased carbon footprint—both incentivizing choices for green and cost factors.
The terminal has automated loading/unloading facilities with dedicated sidings to provide a much shorter turnaround time for rakes and also keep idle time for cargo and rolling stock to a minimum.
The launch is an actualization of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which brings together different infrastructure projects for seamless multi-modal connectivity across the country.
The terminal is expected to create the direct and indirect jobs of about 3,000, promulgating the local economy of Manesar and adjoining districts.
With sustainable infrastructure being promoted in India, the terminal is helping in reducing diesel truck traffic and emissions as the Indian Railways is targeting Net Zero by 2030.
With investments of more than ₹500 crore, the terminal stands as a model for future GCTs in India to attract more private players to develop logistics infrastructure.
The terminal is being used to leverage underutilized freight corridors to generate non-passenger revenue for Railways and reduce highway congestion from car carriers.
The Manesar terminal stands as a model for several such dedicated terminals especially for automotive and steel sectors, asserting Indian Railways' intent to shift 45% of freight traffic to rail by 2030.
The Manesar terminal is an example of the Indian statement on integrated, cost-efficient, and sustainable freight movement. It would make Indian industries more efficient; it would enhance employment in the region and align with the green agenda of the country.
Being a model project, it paves the way for greater involvement of PPPs in infrastructure and the improvement of logistics in India under the banner of Gati Shakti.