PM Narendra Modi inaugurates India’s First In-Plant Railway Siding in Gujarat

Becharaji, India (Urban Transport News): In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable mobility, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s pioneering automobile in-plant railway siding at Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL). This transformative initiative, aligned with the Prime Minister’s flagship Gati Shakti program, seeks to revolutionize the automotive logistics landscape.

Driving Towards a Greener Future

The inauguration, conducted through video conferencing, highlighted the visionary approach of the Indian government in promoting green logistics. This initiative is not just a commendable step toward achieving India's carbon net zero emissions target but also a strategic move to address critical issues such as fossil fuel consumption and road congestion.

Gujarat Leading the Way

Situated in Becharaji, Gujarat, the railway siding facility is a collaborative effort between Gujarat Rail Infrastructure Development (G-RIDE), a partnership between the Government of Gujarat and Indian Railways, Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), and MSIL. The project aims to dispatch an impressive 300,000 cars annually to 15 destinations across India when fully operational.

A Milestone for Maruti Suzuki

Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, expressed his honor to be part of the ambitious Gati Shakti program. The CEO highlighted the project's significance, marking Maruti Suzuki as India’s first automobile company to integrate a railway siding facility within its manufacturing plant.

As Mr. Takeuchi shared, "Today marks a significant milestone as we become India’s first automobile company to have a railway siding facility within its manufacturing plant." This innovative approach aligns with the company's broader commitment to sustainable mobility and environmental responsibility.

Shaping the Future of Automotive Logistics

The newly inaugurated in-plant railway siding is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of automotive logistics in India. As Maruti Suzuki anticipates doubling its production capacity from the current 2 million units per annum to an impressive 4 million units per annum by 2030-31, the railway facility is expected to handle multifold increases in vehicle dispatches.

A Green Paradigm Shift in Automotive Logistics

The inauguration of India’s first in-plant railway siding at Suzuki Motor Gujarat represents a paradigm shift towards green and sustainable automotive logistics. This transformative initiative under the Gati Shakti program not only sets a precedent for the industry but also reinforces India's commitment to a greener and more eco-friendly future.