200 Gati Shakti terminals to come up along rail freight corridors

By Admin

07 Jul, 2025

The Indian government's ambitious plan to strengthen the logistics infrastructure is set to take a major leap forward with the construction of 200 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) along the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs). This large-scale initiative under the PM Gati Shakti programme is expected to redefine the way freight moves across the country   boosting railway revenues, improving efficiency, and reducing logistics costs.

🚆 The Expansion Plan

Currently, India’s vast railway network has 77 operational GCTs, and under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, the government plans to add 200 more terminals in the coming years. Each GCT is estimated to cost around ₹70 crore, showcasing a significant investment push in the logistics sector.

The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) is playing a central role in this transformation. Out of the 77 terminals, DFCCIL operates four, with six more slated for commissioning in FY26. The vision is to harness the potential of 115 DFC stations, out of which 50–55 locations are identified as suitable for GCT development.

📊 Enhancing Railway’s Financial Health

At a recent PHDCCI event, DFCCIL Managing Director Praveen Kumar highlighted the long-term benefits of the freight corridors. While DFCs demand a significant investment   ₹1,24,000 crore   they promise a strong return through improved efficiencies and increased freight capacity.

Kumar stated,

“The Indian Railways’ main traffic is freight, contributing 67% of the total revenue. With the commissioning of DFCs, this percentage will rise further.”

The addition of GCTs and the operationalization of the full Western DFC (by December 2025) are key milestones in this plan. The Western corridor, once complete   especially the Vaitarna to JNPT section   will see freight movement surpassing the design limit of 480 freight trains per day, further adding to operational revenues.

🚛 Rebalancing Road-Rail Share

Presently, road transport dominates India’s logistics with a 46% share, while the railways contribute 26%. Kumar emphasized that the goal isn’t to compete with roads but to create a complementary logistics system that elevates rail’s share due to its sustainable and cost-effective nature.

“We want to reverse the current trend. Rail is a more sustainable mode of transportation, and with better infrastructure and terminals, it can become the preferred choice for long-haul freight,” Kumar added.

🛤️ The Road Ahead

The PM Gati Shakti programme, launched in October 2021, is designed to build an integrated and coordinated multi-modal transport network across India. With GCTs strategically located on DFCs, the movement of goods will be faster, cheaper, and more efficient   unlocking massive economic potential.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• 200 GCTs to be built under PPP model.
  
  

• 77 GCTs are currently operational across India.
  
  

• DFCCIL to commission 6 new GCTs by FY26.
  
  

• Full Western DFC expected to be commissioned by December 2025.
  
  

• Rail freight share to rise significantly, reducing logistics costs and passenger fare pressure.
  
  

• Target to reverse road-rail logistics share from current 46:26 to a more balanced model.
  
  

The Gati Shakti cargo terminals are not just infrastructure projects   they are strategic enablers of India’s journey to becoming a global logistics hub. As the dedicated freight corridors become fully operational, these terminals will form the backbone of a smarter, faster, and greener supply chain network for the country.