Indian Railways eyes lucrative e-commerce space
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Indian Railways eyes lucrative e-commerce space

After the fast-tracking of the high-speed Vande Bharat passenger trains, Indian Railways is eyeing lucrative e-commerce space and is also planning to make use of the identical platform to introduce high-speed freight trains.

The prototype is being in-built Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory, and the plan is to launch 25 such trains.

Each of these 16-car trains with the most velocity of 160 km per hour is evaluated to cost around Rs 60 crores, thrice greater than a standard freight practice with 45 wagons.

But the elevated velocity of those rakes – present cargo trains in India run at the 75 kmph velocity – might assist the nationwide transporter to raise its freight market share from 28% now, including that the railways have been striving at a 40% share in freight logistics by 2030.

The prototype of the newly-designed Freight Vande Bharat's – freight EMUs as referred to in Railways’ official records data – is expected to be prepared by December, following which the transporter is preparing to launch one such practice each month. All these new trains are expected to be deployed on the busiest routes of Railways, mainly to hold parcels of e-commerce companies, an enterprise that’s presently monopolised by roadways.

Although the identity hasn’t been finalised, this new collection may very well be christened Freight Metros.

As the new freight trains will run on the most lucrative routes of Railways joining the metros and other big cities in a time-tabled manner, our target will be to carry parcels of firms such as Flipkart and Amazon.

With this train, the Railways will be approximately 2.5 times quicker than road carriers, and in certain sectors, it can even compete with air cargo carriers, the officer said.

Routes linking Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai carry the majority of freight site visitors of Railways presently.

Image Source

Also read: Railways invites bids for 200 Vande Bharat Trains

Redefine the future of urban mobility! Join us at the Metro Rail Conference 2025 to explore groundbreaking ideas and insights. 👉 Register today!

After the fast-tracking of the high-speed Vande Bharat passenger trains, Indian Railways is eyeing lucrative e-commerce space and is also planning to make use of the identical platform to introduce high-speed freight trains. The prototype is being in-built Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory, and the plan is to launch 25 such trains. Each of these 16-car trains with the most velocity of 160 km per hour is evaluated to cost around Rs 60 crores, thrice greater than a standard freight practice with 45 wagons. But the elevated velocity of those rakes – present cargo trains in India run at the 75 kmph velocity – might assist the nationwide transporter to raise its freight market share from 28% now, including that the railways have been striving at a 40% share in freight logistics by 2030. The prototype of the newly-designed Freight Vande Bharat's – freight EMUs as referred to in Railways’ official records data – is expected to be prepared by December, following which the transporter is preparing to launch one such practice each month. All these new trains are expected to be deployed on the busiest routes of Railways, mainly to hold parcels of e-commerce companies, an enterprise that’s presently monopolised by roadways. Although the identity hasn’t been finalised, this new collection may very well be christened Freight Metros. As the new freight trains will run on the most lucrative routes of Railways joining the metros and other big cities in a time-tabled manner, our target will be to carry parcels of firms such as Flipkart and Amazon. With this train, the Railways will be approximately 2.5 times quicker than road carriers, and in certain sectors, it can even compete with air cargo carriers, the officer said. Routes linking Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai carry the majority of freight site visitors of Railways presently. Image Source Also read: Railways invites bids for 200 Vande Bharat Trains

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Bain Capital Invests in Dhoot Transmission Group to Accelerate Growth

Dhoot Transmission Group, a prominent manufacturer of automotive components, has announced a strategic growth investment from Bain Capital. This partnership with founder and CEO Rahul Dhoot will leverage Bain Capital's automotive expertise to drive innovation, expand global reach, and explore high-growth segments through acquisitions and partnerships.Founded in 1999, Dhoot Transmission Group specializes in manufacturing wiring harnesses for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and other vehicles, including both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) segments. The company has diver..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Indian Oil Corp Eyes Sour Crude from Spot Market

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the largest oil refiner in India by capacity, is actively seeking to procure high-sulphur crude oil through spot tenders. This marks the company's first initiative to import sour crude oil since March 2022, according to insights shared by trade sources on Thursday. Sour crude, known for its higher sulphur content, is commonly used by complex refineries capable of processing such grades efficiently. In addition to the sour crude tender, IOC has also floated a separate tender for sweet crude oil, a variety with lower sulphur content that typically requires less int..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Indian Carmakers Gear up for EV Push in 2025 Despite Global Slowdown

Automakers in India are preparing to launch nearly a dozen new electric car models this year, many targeting the premium market. These vehicles are expected to feature extended driving ranges and faster charging capabilities, aimed at attracting consumers amid a global slowdown in demand for electric vehicles (EVs). Electric cars are set to dominate India's five-day auto show in New Delhi starting Friday. The event will showcase models from Vietnamese newcomer VinFast, alongside domestic players such as Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra, as well as international competitors including BYD,..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000