Gati Shakti Maiden Cargo Terminal Comes Up At Asansol

Aiming at augmenting freight earnings, the Railways has commissioned the first ‘Gati Shakti’ cargo terminal in the Asansol division. The cargo terminal is expected to increase railways’ revenue to the tune of about Rs 11 crore per month.

In accordance with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Gati Shakti and the Railways Ministry policy on ‘Gati Shakti MultiModal Cargo Terminal’ (GCT), Asansol division of Indian Railways has successfully commissioned private siding of Maithan Power, said a senior Railway Ministry official, Railway Board.

This is the first such terminal to be commissioned by Indian Railways since the publication of GCT policy in December, 2021. The Maithan Power project was initiated in 2009 and the power generation was started in the year 2011.

Speaking on the commissioning of the GCT, Railway Board Chairman and CEO V K Tripathi said that the Indian Railways is committed to making the vision of PM’s gati shakti a reality."Transportation by rail is good for the economy as it is the most energy-efficient and the most economical mode of transport. The commissioning of this terminal and more such terminals will have a very positive impact on the economy of the nation,” Tripathi said.

Till now, the requirement of coal to the power project was being met through road, which is expected to convert into 120 inward coal rakes per month.

Also, two to four outward rakes of fly ash are projected to be handled from the siding. This will enhance railways’ earnings by approximately Rs 11 crore per month,” according to the Railways.

The location of the cargo terminal is in the vicinity of the industrial and mining area and the future prospect of the siding is promising.