Kolkata Gets New Rail Link To Gujarat Via DP World
DP World has launched two new rail freight services connecting the western industrial hubs of Bhimasar and Hazira in Gujarat to Kolkata in West Bengal. These services are expected to streamline eastbound cargo movement, reduce carbon emissions, and foster regional economic integration in aligning closely with the Make in India and PM Gati Shakti initiatives.
The Bhimasar–Kolkata and Hazira–Kolkata freight services will each operate twice monthly, transporting up to 90 TEUs per trip. While the Hazira route promises a 7-day transit time, Bhimasar will deliver within 8 days. The services are designed to carry essential industrial goods such as chemicals, steel, edible oils, food grains, and salt, reflecting the evolving needs of India’s growing domestic market and international trade routes.
Gujarat continues to anchor India’s manufacturing strength with over 800 large-scale industries, 21 SEZs, and nearly half a million MSMEs. The state’s thriving industrial ecosystem spans textiles, ceramics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and engineering, making it a critical node in India’s supply chain network. On the other hand, Kolkata serves as a strategic trade gateway to East and Northeast India, with vibrant exports in tea, textiles, and leather to global markets.“Connecting Gujarat’s production belts to Kolkata’s consumption and export corridors will create a more agile and eco-conscious logistics landscape,” said officials of Rail and Inland Terminals at DP World Subcontinent. “This initiative not only enhances market connectivity but supports faster and more sustainable freight movements that are vital to India’s inclusive growth story.”
DP World’s broader logistics vision includes a $207 million investment into India’s rail freight infrastructure, incorporating over 100 container rakes, more than 16,000 containers and trailers, and a seamless multimodal network. Its integrated ecosystem spans seven inland terminals, extensive warehousing facilities, and FTWZs, forming a resilient, climate-smart cargo grid. With its growing commitment to low-emission, multi-modal freight solutions, DP World is helping to shift the country’s cargo dependency from roads to rail, a cleaner alternative that aligns with India’s zero net carbon ambitions. These services symbolise not just infrastructural progress but a long-term commitment to building equitable, resilient, and environmentally responsible urban economies.
