Indian Railways launches long haul double stack container train operations to JNPT port

The Ministry of Railways has successfully deployed long haul double stack container trains directly to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port to significantly expand India freight transportation network. This major milestone was highlighted by the Ministry of Railways on September 7 2026 building directly upon the inaugural operation on August 21 2026 when the very first 1.3 kilometer long train departed JNPT. This forward looking initiative forms an integral part of a broader national strategy to drastically enhance the operational efficiency of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. This network now includes newly constructed sections spanning New Sanand North to Makarpura New Umbergaon to New Saphale and New Saphale to New JNPT built at a massive total cost exceeding Rs 20000 crore.

• First long haul formation successfully carried 360 TEUs across a 422 kilometer route to CONCOR Gateway Container Terminal at Varnama in Gujarat.
• The massive train featured two double stack rakes hauled by powerful electric locomotives carrying 1817 tonnes and 2105 tonnes respectively.
• Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that this new service marks a stellar step in using electric traction to boost capacity on the WDFC.
• The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority expects these operations to reduce import dwell times and lower overall logistics costs.

Boosting Freight Capacity and Efficiency

The historic inaugural run successfully transported 360 Twenty foot Equivalent Units across a 422 kilometer route directly to the Container Corporation of India Gateway Container Terminal situated in the Varnama area under the Vadodara Division of Gujarat. Engineering marvels defined this run as the train featured two combined double stack rakes. The leading rake was efficiently hauled by locomotive number 60311 carrying a solid payload of 1817 tonnes while the trailing rake was powered by locomotive number 24690 carrying an impressive 2105 tonnes of cargo.

Transforming Logistics Across the Western Corridor

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw noted that this remarkable service represents a massive leap forward in fully utilizing advanced electric traction to substantially boost cargo handling capacity along the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. According official statements from the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority the seamless implementation of regular double stack operations will drastically reduce import dwell times optimize overall train asset utilization and remarkably lower national logistics costs by facilitating the smooth movement of much higher cargo volumes in a single single transit.