Indian Railways has introduced a landmark door-to-door parcel and freight delivery service between Mumbai and Kolkata, signalling a major step toward modernising the country’s logistics ecosystem. The move is aimed at bridging the gap between factories, loading terminals, and end customers while enhancing transport efficiency and sustainability across India’s freight corridors.
Officials confirmed that the new service integrates first-mile pickup and last-mile delivery with middle-mile rail transport, offering a faster, cost-effective alternative to traditional road transport. The initiative is expected to reduce transit time by nearly 30 percent while lowering costs for smaller consignments by 7.5 percent compared with conventional trucking. The service operates from the Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub in Uttar Pradesh, located strategically between Kanpur and Lucknow. Developed under the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals initiative, the facility is India’s first fully integrated logistics hub, combining warehousing, container stuffing and de-stuffing, and customer support amenities. The Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) manages the hub, ensuring seamless operations for a range of commodities including fertilizers, cement, food grains, and tractors.
Experts emphasised that the Mumbai–Kolkata corridor has been chosen as the pilot route, with plans to expand the model to other high-volume freight lines nationwide. The initiative represents a shift from bulk-only shipments toward smaller, containerised parcel consignments, allowing industries and even retail customers to leverage rail freight for time-sensitive deliveries. The new parcel service is integrated with digital platforms, enabling customers to book door-to-door, door-to-terminal, or terminal-to-door deliveries via the CONCOR e-Logistics app. This digital-first approach aligns with India’s broader goals of digitising supply chains while improving transparency and operational efficiency.
The Assured Transit Container Train Service on the Mumbai–Kolkata route promises delivery within 120 hours, with trains connecting Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, and Kolkata. Officials noted that major brands such as Castrol India, VIP Industries, Godrej & Boyce, and Nestle have already signed up, highlighting industry confidence in the model. Beyond faster deliveries and cost savings, the initiative reduces reliance on long-haul trucking, contributing to lower carbon emissions and traffic congestion. Officials highlighted that the model strengthens the modal shift from road to rail, consistent with India’s zero-carbon and eco-friendly transport objectives.
With the successful launch of this service, Indian Railways is positioning itself as a comprehensive end-to-end logistics provider, offering inclusive freight solutions that cater not only to large manufacturers but also to small businesses and retail consumers. Experts noted that this will have a long-term impact on supply chain efficiency, industrial competitiveness, and regional connectivity between India’s western and eastern economic hubs.
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