The inaugural service will operate twice weekly from the Inland Container Depot at Tughlakabad in Delhi to the Container Terminal at Shalimar in Kolkata, routing via CONCOR’s hubs at Agra and Kanpur.
Indian Railways has launched its first assured transit time container train service on a pilot basis between Delhi and Kolkata, marking a significant milestone in India’s freight logistics ecosystem. Operated by the Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR), the service guarantees a 120-hour delivery window, offering a reliable alternative to road transport for time-sensitive cargo.
The inaugural train will run from the Inland Container Depot at Tughlakabad Terminal in Delhi to Container Terminal at Shalimar in Kolkata, routing via CONCOR’s terminals at Agra and Kanpur. Scheduled to operate twice a week, the service will depart every Wednesday and Saturday.
A key feature of the initiative is the hub-and-spoke cargo aggregation model at Agra and Kanpur, designed to extend service reach across the northern hinterland. Customers will also benefit from a waiver on empty wagon haulage charges between Tughlakabad and Kanpur, enhancing cost efficiency and operational flexibility.
The pilot service is expected to deliver assured door-to-door delivery for time-sensitive cargo, while offering a competitive modal shift from road to rail. It also strengthens connectivity for industrial clusters in North India and provides priority benefits for early adopters. By promoting rail-based freight movement, the initiative contributes to sustainability goals and supports India’s commitment to green logistics.