Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurates Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub, Launches Door-to-Door Freight & Parcel Services

Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, holding portfolios of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, virtually inaugurated the Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub today and flagged off two new Door-to-Door Freight and Parcel Services. The initiative is aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing logistics costs, and bridging the gap between factories and railway loading/unloading points.

Door-to-Door Services to Revolutionize Rail Logistics

Shri Vaishnaw emphasized that industries can now send partial shipments without the need to fill an entire rake. With new facilities for stuffing and de-stuffing containers at goods sheds and logistics terminals, customers will fully benefit from the door-to-door service model. Sonik is the first integrated logistics hub in the country offering this facility.

Under the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals initiative, 115 terminals have been developed to provide multimodal services. Initially launched on the Mumbai–Kolkata corridor, these services will soon expand to more cities. The initiative also includes efficient transportation of tractors and heavy construction equipment (JCB), following the model of rail-based car cargo services.

Railway Board Highlights Paradigm Shift in Freight Logistics

Shri Satish Kumar, Chairman & CEO of the Railway Board, described the initiative as a paradigm shift, where consignments are picked up directly from warehouses or factories and delivered to final destinations by Indian Railways. This marks a move towards transforming Indian Railways from a goods transporter into a complete logistics service provider, in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Bhartiya Rail (Indian Railways) currently ranks as the world’s second-largest freight carrier, transporting 1.6 billion tonnes of goods annually.

Details of the Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub

• Location: Approximately 50 km from Lucknow and 20 km from Kanpur, strategically connecting the capital with a major industrial hub.

• Services: Door-to-Door logistics, distribution hubs, inventory management, and comprehensive cargo handling.

• Cargo Profile: Fertilizers, food-grains, cement, tractors, and more.

• Operations: Managed by CONCOR, ensuring seamless First & Last Mile connectivity with state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Assured Transit Container Train Service (Delhi to Kolkata)

• Route: Delhi – Agra – Kanpur – Kolkata, with bi-weekly departures every Wednesday and Saturday.

• Transit Time: Guaranteed 120 hours with standardized 6-hour dwell times at intermediary terminals.

• Booking Options: Door-to-Door, Door-to-Terminal, Terminal-to-Door, Terminal-to-Terminal.

• Digital Integration: Accessible via CONCOR e-Logistics Mobile App for easy First & Last Mile bookings.

Door-to-Door Parcel Service (Mumbai to Kolkata)

• Service Model: First Mile by CONCOR Business Associates, Middle Mile via Indian Railway Parcel Train (48–60 hours), Last Mile by CONCOR Associates.

• Pilot Route: Mumbai (Bhiwandi Road) – Kolkata (Sankrail), spanning 1,930 km.

• Clients: Major brands such as Castrol India, VIP Industries, Godrej & Boyce, and Nestle.

• Infrastructure: 5,400 CFT cargo storage at both hubs.

• Benefits: 7.5% reduction in logistics costs and nearly 30% faster transit compared to road transport.

A Boost for Indian Industries and Farmers

The initiative is expected to significantly enhance supply chain efficiency for industries while also benefiting farmers by enabling affordable transport of agricultural equipment. It represents a major step forward in modernizing India’s rail-based logistics network.