India plans 23 exclusive rail terminals to boost container cargo movement

India is set to establish 23 exclusive container rail terminals to improve the movement of export-import cargo. These terminals will be developed by private concessionaires under favorable financial terms and will not handle bulk cargo like coal or iron ore. The terminals will be located across various states, including five in Maharashtra and four in Tamil Nadu. This initiative aims to increase container loading on Indian Railways, which rose to 85.58 million tonnes in 2023-24, primarily for export-import trade. New guidelines will allow private operators to recover investments through lower loading charges and enable a hub-and-spoke model for freight transport. A flat terminal access charge will replace higher fees for excess container loading, promoting further containerization.