India’s Largest Automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal Unveiled In Haryana's Manesar

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday (17 June) inaugurated India’s largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki’s facility in Haryana's Manesar, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement.

A major leap forward in rail-based automobile logistics and infrastructure modernisation, the terminal, directly linked to Patli station through a newly built 10 km stretch, is part of the larger 121.7 km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 800 crore, it was developed jointly by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC) and Maruti Suzuki, with HRIDC contributing Rs 684 crore.

With an annual capacity to handle 4.5 lakh vehicles, the terminal is now among the most advanced in India.

Speaking at the launch, Vaishnaw highlighted Indian Railways’ transformation over the past decade.

“Before 2014, the Railways' annual budget hovered around Rs 24,000–25,000 crore. Now, it has been increased to Rs 2.5 Lakh Crore,” he said, citing improved passenger amenities and the rapid deployment of general coaches.

He announced that 100 MEMU trains will be upgraded to longer configurations, with production supported by a new factory in Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh.

On the success of Namo Bharat, he stated, “We have decided to produce 50 new Namo Bharat trains to cater to growing passenger demand.”

In FY 2023–24, Indian Railways moved 720 crore passengers and 1,617 million tonnes of freight, securing its position as the world’s second-largest freight carrier.

He also said that from 1 July, only Aadhaar-authenticated users can book Tatkal tickets in the first 30 minutes.

In Haryana, railway budget allocations have risen from Rs 300 crore in 2014 to Rs 3,416 crore this year, enabling rapid electrification, 823 km of new track, and 34 station redevelopments.

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