Railway Minister inaugurates country’s 1st door-to-door logistics service near Lucknow

Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnav on Tuesday launched the country’s first door-to-door logistics service at Sonic Goods Shed (Lucknow Division) via video conferencing.

With this, the Indian Railways has taken another significant step towards modernizing logistics services and expanding customer convenience. This service will be operated by Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR).

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The project has been initially approved for a period of two years, which may be extended for an additional two years, if required. The Sonic Goods Shed is a Category-1 goods shed, handling approximately 13 inward rakes (food grains, fertilizers, NMG, cement, etc.) and approximately 80 wagons of piecemeal loading per month. Currently, construction of the platform, approach road, and CGS/Merchant Room under PH-53 is in progress.

CONCOR will be responsible for the overall management of the goods shed, including cleanliness, asset maintenance, and compliance with all statutory and environmental regulations.

Handling and door-to-door logistics services will be provided to customers, with tariffs determined by CONCOR.

The necessary infrastructure such as warehouses, container storage, etc., will be developed by CONCOR at its own expense while all assets constructed on railway land will remain the property of the Indian Railways.

Approximately 20–26 containers (20 feet) will be installed as temporary warehouses in the quay area. Cargo handled by CONCOR will be transferred to containers so that no cargo remains on the platform and space is available for future use. Customers will have the option to arrange handling work themselves, through CONCOR, or through a third party.

Railway officials here claimed that this project is a significant initiative towards better utilization of railway assets, increasing freight efficiency, and providing integrated logistics solutions to customers. The “door-to-door logistics service” will strengthen Indian Railways’ last-mile connectivity and provide more convenient, safe, and timely transportation facilities to traders and industries.

Divisional Railway Manager, Lucknow, Sunil Kumar Verma, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager/Freight, Gaurav Dixit, along with divisional officials and traders were present on this occasion.