Ministry of Railways Commissions 142 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals, Attracts ₹10,000 Crore in Private Investment

India’s logistics infrastructure has received a significant boost with the Ministry of Railways announcing that 142 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) have been commissioned across the country under the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal Policy. The initiative has attracted nearly ₹10,000 crore in private investment and is expected to play a key role in improving freight movement through the rail network.

According to the Ministry, the commissioned terminals together have an estimated freight handling capacity of 224 million tonnes per annum. During the financial year 2025-26, these terminals handled around 146 million tonnes of freight, highlighting their growing contribution to India’s freight transportation ecosystem.

The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Policy was introduced to encourage private sector participation in developing modern cargo terminals. Locations are identified based on industrial demand, cargo generation potential, availability of railway infrastructure and the overall logistics potential of the region. This approach aims to create efficient freight hubs closer to production and consumption centres.

In addition to the 142 operational terminals, the Ministry has granted In-Principle Approvals for another 310 locations across the country. These approvals are expected to accelerate the expansion of rail-based logistics infrastructure and create additional opportunities for private investment.

The terminals are designed to handle a wide range of commodities including steel, cement, coal, fertilizers, foodgrains, minerals, fly ash, automobiles, containers and agricultural produce. They also support the development of value-added infrastructure such as warehouses, silos and cold storage facilities, helping industries streamline supply chains.

Railway officials believe the expansion of Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals will reduce first-mile and last-mile logistics costs, improve wagon turnaround time and encourage a larger shift of freight from road to rail. The policy is expected to strengthen sectors such as steel, cement, mining, manufacturing, agriculture and power while contributing to more efficient and sustainable logistics across India.

The information was shared by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.