Indian Railways Door-to-Door Cargo/Parcel Service
Indian Railways launched its door-to-door parcel and cargo service in October 2025, marking a shift from traditional bulk freight to integrated logistics for smaller consignments, e-commerce, households, and industries. The initiative aims to compete with road transport by offering lower costs, faster transit, and end-to-end connectivity.
Key Features
Seamless Logistics Chain: First-mile pickup from warehouses/factories/homes, middle-mile transport via rail (using parcel vans or containers), and last-mile delivery to the destination.
Cost and Time Benefits: Approximately 7.5% cheaper and 30% faster than pure road transport (e.g., transit time reduced from ~100 hours to ~60 hours on key routes).
Managed By: Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) in partnership with Indian Railways. First- and last-mile handled by CONCOR's business associates.
Suitable For: FMCG, consumer durables, lube oil, household items, e-commerce parcels, and smaller consignments. Flexible loading (no minimum bulk requirement for some services).
Storage Facilities: Available at terminals (e.g., 5,400 cubic feet at Mumbai and Kolkata hubs).
Clients: Already serving brands like Castrol India, VIP Industries, Godrej & Boyce, and Nestlé.
Launched Routes and Services (as of December 2025)
Primary Route: Mumbai (Bhiwandi Road terminal) to Kolkata (Sankrail terminal) – 1,930 km. Bi-weekly service (Wednesdays and Saturdays). This is India's first dedicated door-to-door rail parcel service.
Extensions and New Services:
Ahmedabad (Kankaria) to Kolkata (Sankrail) launched in November 2025 under Joint Parcel Product – Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS).
Assured transit container train (Delhi to Kolkata) with 120-hour guaranteed delivery.
Broader Initiatives: Part of Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals; Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub (Unnao, near Lucknow/Kanpur) inaugurated for warehousing, inventory management, and door-to-door solutions in North India.
How to Book?
Bookings available via CONCOR's mobile app or e-CONCOR Logistics website/app. Options include door-to-door, door-to-terminal, or terminal-to-terminal.
Related Older Services
Earlier collaborations like Rail Post Gati Shakti Express Cargo Service (with India Post, launched 2023) offer door-to-door for parcels >35 kg on select routes, but the 2025 launch focuses on direct rail-CONCOR integration for wider cargo types.
This service promotes greener logistics by shifting cargo from roads to rails, reducing emissions and congestion. Expansions to more routes are planned.
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