India's first semi-high speed freight train Gati Shakti likely to run by year-end

Tags: National

Indian Railways has set a target of launching the country's first semi-high speed freight  train by December 2022.

• The 16-coach 'Gati Shakti' train based on the Vande Bharat platform will be able to run at a speed of 160 kmph.

• The manufacture of the train will be done by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.

• In order to implement this initiative in a focused manner, Railways has created a separate Directorate in Railway Board with its branches in Khurda, Bilaspur, Delhi and Bengaluru divisions.

• Each train will also have refrigerated wagons at the rear and front for carrying perishable goods like milk products, fish, fruits and vegetables.

• Each coach will have two wide doors for loading and unloading of containers.

• Indian Railways is aiming to increase its share in freight traffic from the current 27 per cent to 45 per cent by 2030 through better infrastructure and business development plans.

• Indian Railways has identified 74 new 'Gati-Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)' across the country, of which 20 are in South Indian states.

• India’s e-commerce market

• As per the Indian Brand Equity Foundation, with a turnover of USD 50 billion in 2020, India has become the eighth largest market for e-commerce.

• India's e-commerce market is expected to reach US$ 111 billion by 2024 and US$ 200 billion by 2026.

• It is expected to reach USD 350 billion by 2030.

• The 'Gati-Shakti Multi Modal Cargo Terminal' policy was launched in 2021 to promote investment in the development of additional terminals for handling rail cargo.

• About PM Gati Shakti initiative

• It is a transformative approach to economic growth and sustainable development.

• It was launched on 13 October 2021 to provide multimodal connectivity infrastructure to various economic zones.

• PM GatiShakti National Master Plan was implemented on 21st October 2021.

• The approach of PM Gati Shakti is driven by 7 engines-

1. Railways

2. Roads

3. Ports

4. Waterways

5. Airports

6. Mass Transport

7. Logistics Infrastructure