Indian car market leader, Maruti Suzuki, has been expecting a surge in the number of vehicles that are transferred by Indian railways by 2031. The auto giant anticipates that 35% of Maruti Suzuki logistics will be carried on via Indian railways by FY2031. This can be a game-changing move by the company as it has ruled the space for a decade, and also the first automaker to explore transportation of passenger vehicles via railways. 

Growth of Railway Transport of Vehicles  

During 2014-15, only 5% of the Maruti Suzuki vehicles were dispatched by railways. The percentage has already risen to 24% in 2024-25. This can further grow to 35% by 2030-31. Maruti Suzuki also opened its second automobile in-plant railway siding at its Manesar Facility. It is the largest GatiShakti Multi-modal cargo terminal in India. 

Maruti Suzuki has been a frontrunner in dispatching vehicles via railways as it obtained the automobile-freight-train-operator license in the country. Over these years, the company has transported around 25 lakh plus vehicles using railways. The firm has also established an in-plant railway siding in the manufacturing unit in Gujarat.   

As per the announcement, once the Manesar plant starts operating, around 4.5 lakh passenger vehicles can be transported via railways in a year, taking the overall ratio to 35% of total sales. 

Environmental Impact

While automobile freight via railways may not be only cost efficient, but most importantly, it will help in reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 175000 tons and also 60 million liters of fuel yearly. 

This project, Manesar Railway Siding, is being developed under the Prime Minister GatiShakti Master Plan. It is a part of the 126 KM Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC), which runs from Sonipat to Palwal in Haryana. Maruti Suzuki and HORC have come together to develop this project. Maruti Suzuki has invested ₹127 crore in internal yard development, which took the entire investment up to ₹452 crore. 

This is built across 46 acres within the company’s manufacturing facility. This is a completely electrified corridor where there are four full-length tracks for a rake. Another track is there for engine escape, and the total length of the track is around 8.2 km. 

Around 380 cities will be served through this railway siding, which will include ports as well, such as Mundra and Pipavav, which can increase the exports of this automobile company. 

Wrapping up 

With this new corridor and the railway siding project, it will be interesting to see whether the expectation of Maruti Suzuki comes into light or not. However, definitely, this move is definitely a game-changing one as it will not only save a lot of money but also the environment. 

Source: BusinessStandard

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