India Runs First Double-Stack Long-Haul Container Train in Gujarat

Indian Railways has achieved a new milestone by operating the country's first double-stack long-haul container train in Gujarat, marking what officials describe as a historic moment for rail transport in India.

The train, weighing 3922 tons and stretching 1.3 kilometres in length, carried 360 containers along a 422-kilometre route. In a double-stack configuration, containers are placed one on top of another, allowing a single train to transport significantly more cargo than a conventional single-stack service.

Described as a long-haul service, the train travelled its route at high speed, according to the Railway Ministry. The Railway Minister shared a video of the journey on social media, highlighting the achievement as a step forward for India's freight transport network.

Freight, which refers to goods transported by train, truck, or ship, has long been a focus for Indian Railways as it looks to improve efficiency and reduce logistics costs. Double-stack container trains are seen as one way to achieve this, since they can carry a larger volume of goods using the same length of track and the same number of locomotives.

By increasing the amount of cargo moved per trip, such trains can potentially lower the cost per container transported, according to industry observers. This could make rail freight more competitive compared to road transport for certain long-distance routes.

The operation in Gujarat is being viewed as a demonstration of the feasibility of running such trains on Indian tracks, given the specific infrastructure requirements involved, including sufficient overhead clearance and track strength to support the increased height and weight of double-stacked containers.

While the summary does not specify further details about future plans, the successful trial suggests that Indian Railways may look to expand double-stack long-haul services to other routes across the country, potentially boosting the efficiency of its freight operations nationwide.

The development comes as part of broader efforts by Indian Railways to modernise its freight capabilities and support economic growth by making goods transport faster and more cost-effective.