Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday inaugurated India’s largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at the Maruti Suzuki India Limited manufacturing facility in Manesar, Haryana. Developed under the significant Gati Shakti initiative, this terminal is a pivotal step towards enhancing integrated and efficient logistics infrastructure within the country. It is strategically connected to the Patli railway station through a dedicated 10-km rail link, which is an integral part of the larger 121.7 km-long Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor. This ambitious corridor is being developed by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC).

The project for this state-of-the-art terminal was executed at a total cost of ₹800 crore, with HRIDC contributing ₹684 crore and the remaining funds provided by Maruti Suzuki. With an impressive loading capacity of 4.5 lakh vehicles per year, the Manesar terminal now holds the distinction of being India’s highest-capacity automobile cargo terminal, significantly boosting the country's logistics capabilities for vehicle transportation.

During the inauguration, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the profound transformation Indian Railways has undergone over the past decade. He stated that the annual railway budget has dramatically increased from around ₹25,000 crore before 2014 to a substantial ₹2.5 lakh crore today. Emphasizing growth, he noted that over 1,200 general coaches were added in the last year alone. Looking ahead, the minister announced plans to upgrade more than 100 MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) trains to 16–20 coaches to effectively cater to the rising demand from short-distance commuters. A new manufacturing facility for MEMU trains has also been established in Kazipet, Andhra Pradesh, to support this expansion.

Vaishnaw further showcased Indian Railways’ robust performance in FY 2023–24, where it successfully transported approximately 720 crore passengers and 1,617 million tonnes of freight. This impressive feat positions India as the world’s second-largest railway freight mover. In a significant announcement for passengers, the minister declared a new rule effective from July 1 for Tatkal ticket bookings: during the first 30 minutes of the booking window, only Aadhaar-authenticated and KYC-verified users will be able to book tickets. This reform is part of ongoing efforts, which also include a pilot project in the Bikaner Division where reservation charts are now being prepared 24 hours in advance, a considerable improvement from the previous 4-hour window.

Regarding the expansion of rail services, Minister Vaishnaw confirmed that three Amrit Bharat trains are already operational, with six more scheduled for launch soon. Additionally, the production of 50 more such trains is currently underway. Focusing on regional development, he underscored the substantial increase in Haryana’s annual railway budget allocation, which has risen from ₹300 crore before 2014 to ₹3,416 crore this year. Over the last 11 years, 823 km of new rail lines have been constructed, and 100% of Haryana’s railway network has been electrified. Currently, infrastructure projects worth ₹11,800 crore are being executed across the state, including the redevelopment of 34 railway stations and the construction of 540 road overbridges and underpasses.

The inaugural event was attended by key dignitaries including Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Industries Minister Rao Narbir Singh, MLA Mukesh Sharma, and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. CEO & MD Hisashi Takeuchi, underscoring the collaborative effort behind this significant infrastructure milestone.