The Impressive TimesTIT Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com
NEW DEKHI, 17 JUNE : Union Minister for Railways, Electronics & IT, and Information & Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Tuesday inaugurated India’s largest Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) for automobiles at Maruti Suzuki India Limited’s Manesar facility.
The newly launched GCT is a major step forward in enhancing the logistics infrastructure of India’s automobile sector. Located at Maruti’s Manesar plant, the terminal is connected via a 10-km dedicated rail link to Patli station. This link is part of the broader 121.7 km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, being developed by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC). The ₹800 crore project was primarily funded by HRIDC (₹684 crore), with the remainder from Maruti Suzuki.
The Manesar GCT boasts one of the highest loading capacities in India — capable of transporting 4.5 lakh vehicles annually. It will significantly improve logistics efficiency and reduce transport time and cost for the auto industry.
Addressing the event, Shri Vaishnaw highlighted Indian Railways’ transformation over the past decade, citing a budgetary rise from ₹25,000 crore in 2014 to ₹2.5 lakh crore today. He noted improvements in passenger amenities, addition of over 1,200 general coaches last year, and expansion of MEMU trains from 8–12 coaches to 16–20 coaches, benefitting short-distance travelers.
The Minister announced plans to produce 50 new Namo Bharat trains following positive public feedback. On passenger convenience, a new Tatkal booking rule will take effect from July 1, 2025, allowing only Aadhaar-authenticated, KYC-verified users to book during the initial 30-minute window.
He also spoke of a successful pilot in Bikaner Division where reservation charts are now prepared 24 hours in advance, improving travel planning.
Three Amrit Bharat trains are already operational, with six more launching soon and 50 under production.
Focusing on Haryana’s railway development, Vaishnaw said the state has received ₹3,416 crore this year — a sharp rise from ₹300 crore in 2014. In the past 11 years, 823 km of new lines have been added and the entire network electrified. Ongoing projects in the state are worth ₹11,800 crore, including station redevelopments and 540 road bridges.
Also present were Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, State Industries Minister Rao Narbir Singh, MLA Mukesh Sharma, and Maruti Suzuki India CEO Hisashi Takeuchi.
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