Ahmedabad Becomes Indias Freight Trailblazer With First Double Stack Rail Between Vapi and Haryana
Ahmedabad has taken a historic leap in India’s green logistics movement with the launch of the country’s first-ever double-stack freight train connecting Vapi in Gujarat to Patli in Haryana. Spearheaded by Adani Logistics Ltd, this rail route is expected to cut carbon emissions by nearly 30 per cent per container while offering faster, more cost-effective transport across industrial and consumption zones. The route marks a major win for India’s push towards sustainable, high-efficiency multimodal infrastructure.
The double-stack rake, which allows two containers to be stacked vertically on a single wagon, represents a key milestone in freight innovation. It significantly boosts cargo capacity per trip, which in turn reduces the need for additional vehicles and cuts down both operational costs and environmental impact. Officials from Adani Logistics confirmed that this rail model can reduce logistics emissions by up to 30 per cent per container—ushering in a greener future for India’s vast and growing transport sector. The Ahmedabad-origin initiative aims to serve a vital economic corridor between Gujarat’s bustling manufacturing hubs—Vapi, Silvassa, and Daman—and northern India’s consumption-heavy regions—Delhi NCR, Haryana, and Punjab. For industries such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and electronics, this corridor offers unprecedented speed, reliability, and scale.
“This is not merely about moving containers,” said a senior executive at Adani Logistics. “This is about accelerating India’s competitive edge in global supply chains. The double-stack system is our answer to the demand for smarter, cleaner, and more scalable freight transport.” By bridging key ICDs at Tumb and Patli, this route also decongests India’s overburdened highways and shifts traffic from roads to rail—an essential goal under India’s National Logistics Policy. It brings direct efficiency gains to port-linked logistics, particularly enhancing cargo flow through Mundra and Hazira Ports on the western coastline.
For Ahmedabad and Gujarat at large, this development positions the region as a freight and logistics powerhouse. Already hosting multimodal parks and thriving export industries, Gujarat now boasts a logistics corridor that aligns with India’s net-zero ambitions. Rail freight consumes less fuel than road transport and with double-stack models, energy efficiency improves exponentially. India’s logistics costs currently hover between 13 and 14 per cent of its GDP, far above global benchmarks. The Centre aims to slash this to below 10 per cent—and innovations like the Tumb–Patli double-stack rail are critical steps in that journey. This rail connection is designed not only to serve manufacturers but to future-proof India’s logistics ecosystem in the face of increasing trade volumes and urbanisation.
Moreover, the move is likely to spur investments in warehousing and last-mile services around Vapi and Haryana, boosting employment and infrastructure development in these areas. The streamlined rail system will also free up national highways, which are often choked by slow-moving freight traffic, especially during peak seasons. Environmental experts have also lauded the initiative, noting that such rail projects are essential in reducing India’s carbon footprint. With freight demand expected to triple by 2040, sustainable transport systems need to be scaled up aggressively. Every shift from road to rail represents fewer emissions, less fuel usage, and better air quality in freight-intensive regions.
Industry analysts argue that while Adani’s rail corridor is a significant breakthrough, widespread adoption of such models will require coordination among logistics firms, state governments, and regulatory agencies. Harmonising taxes, speeding up clearances, and digitising cargo movement are critical next steps if India is to make multimodal freight a national norm. Ahmedabad’s moment in the logistics spotlight has come not just through investment but vision. The Tumb–Patli double-stack route sends a powerful message: India is ready to innovate, adapt, and lead in sustainable infrastructure. As cities grapple with pollution, road congestion, and logistical delays, scalable models like this are no longer optional—they are urgent imperatives.
Looking ahead, Adani Logistics plans to expand its double-stack operations to other high-volume corridors, particularly those linking India’s ports to hinterlands. The success of the Ahmedabad-launched rail will likely influence future multimodal planning at both state and central levels.
In an era where climate responsibility and economic efficiency must go hand in hand, Ahmedabad’s double-stack debut is more than a milestone—it’s a model. A model for how India can move more, pollute less, and thrive sustainably in the age of global commerce.
