Indian Railways Launches 'Ghar se Ghar Tak' Door-to-Door Parcel Service
Indian Railways launches 'Ghar se Ghar Tak' door-to-door parcel service in 8 cities for easy doorstep pickup and delivery of goods and vehicles.
Indian Railways is set to transform the logistics landscape with the launch of its new 'Ghar se Ghar Tak' door-to-door parcel delivery service. Designed to provide ultimate convenience, this service aims to streamline the movement of goods by offering doorstep pickup and delivery across eight major metropolitan hubs.
Major Cities Included in the Rollout
The service will initially be operational in the following eight cities:
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Kolkata
- Chennai
- Ahmedabad
- Hyderabad
- Bengaluru
- Pune
How the Digital Marketplace Works
The 'Ghar se Ghar Tak' model functions as a seamless digital marketplace. Through a dedicated mobile application, users can book the transport of various items, ranging from general household goods to larger assets like motorcycles and cars.
The operational structure is divided into three distinct segments:
- First-Mile Collection: Logistics partners will collect the consignment directly from the sender's doorstep.
- Rail Transit: Indian Railways manages the secure transport of the goods from one station to another.
- Last-Mile Delivery: Logistics partners ensure the parcel reaches the recipient's doorstep.
This integrated approach eliminates the need for customers to visit railway premises for bookings or complex documentation.
Booking Windows and Payment Details
The mobile app will serve as a one-stop shop for both consignment booking and online payments. To ensure smooth operations, the following timelines apply:
- Advance Booking: Customers can schedule their parcels starting 15 days before a train's scheduled departure.
- Deadline: The final booking window closes one day prior to the train's departure.
- Handover: Logistics partners are required to hand over the consignments to railway staff at least one hour before the train leaves the station.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Indian Railways has established a clear refund mechanism for this service. If a cancellation occurs before the pickup, the railway will provide a full refund of the rail freight, minus a nominal ₹10 clerkage charge.
However, it is important to note that refunds for the pickup and delivery components will be governed by the specific policies of the individual logistics providers, which will be clearly disclosed during the booking process on the app. Additionally, logistics partners may offer professional packaging services to customers.
Modernizing Freight Operations
Following a successful pilot program, this rollout is part of a broader initiative to modernize freight services, as emphasized by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. In a further move to encourage bulk movement, the Railway Board has also introduced a 25 percent discount on combined freight charges for aggregators who opt for discounted round-trip bookings using parcel coaches.