**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2967, the Ministry of Railways reports significant progress in the development of Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs). As of August 6, 2025, 112 GCTs have been commissioned, exceeding the initial target of 100 terminals set in the Union Budget 2022-23.
These terminals handle a variety of commodities, including coal, containers, food grains, fertilizers, cement, crane consignments, petroleum, and automobiles. Since their commissioning, the GCTs have handled a total of 301.7 Million Tonnes of cargo. The implementation of Engineonload operations and modern cargo handling facilities, such as mechanized loading and silos, contribute to reduced handling times and improved efficiency of railway infrastructure.
Specifically in Bihar, five GCTs have been commissioned at the following locations: BarauniGarhara (Begusarai district), Khudiram Bose Pusa (Samastipur district), Jogiyara (Darbhanga district), Pashraha (Khagaria district), and Chausa (Buxar district).
The development of GCTs aims to enhance the modal share of Indian Railways, leveraging the inherent environmental benefits of rail transport. Shifting freight from road to rail results in substantial reductions in carbon emissions. Compared to 2014 levels, an additional 2,672 Million Tonnes of freight has been shifted from road to rail, resulting in an estimated saving of 143.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. According to the Ministry, rail transport costs less than half of road transport and produces 90% less carbon dioxide emissions. The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology is Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Key Entities Referenced
Union Budget 2022-23: The annual financial statement of the Government of India for the fiscal year 2022-2023, relevant as it marks a milestone year against which cargo terminal development is measured.
Gati Shakti MultiModal Cargo Terminals (GCTs): A Government of India initiative to develop cargo terminals for multimodal logistics, aimed at improving freight movement efficiency.
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the development and management of the Indian railway network, including cargo terminals.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, responsible for answering the parliamentary question.
Bihar: A state in eastern India, specifically mentioned in the context of establishing cargo terminals.
Indian Railways: The state-owned railway company of India, playing a crucial role in freight transport and multimodal logistics.
Patna, Bihar: A district and city in Bihar, India, identified as a potential location for cargo terminals.
Saran, Bihar: A district in Bihar, India, identified as a potential location for cargo terminals.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2967
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
CARGO TERMINALS FOR MULTIMODAL LOGISTICS FACILITIES
2967. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY :
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of cargo terminals for multimodal logistics
facilities that have been established since the announcement in
the Union Budget 2022-23 against the original target of 100
terminals to be developed during the last three years;
(b) the details of these newly established cargo terminals,
including the locations, operational status and major commodities
handled, State-wise;
(c) whether any such terminals have been commissioned / under
construction in Bihar, particularly in districts like Patna, Saran or
other strategic logistics hubs and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the total volume of cargo handled through these new terminals
since their commissioning and the impact on overall freight
movement efficiency including reductions in logistics costs and
time; and
(e) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of
environmental benefits (such as reduction in road congestion and
carbon emissions) resulting from the shift towards multimodal
transport through these terminals and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
…2/--2-
(a) to (e) : So far, 112 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals
(GCTs) have been commissioned against target of 100 GCTs.
These include 5 GCTs in Bihar, the details of which are as under:
SN Location/ Serving station District
1 Barauni-Garhara Begusarai
2 Khudiram Bose Pusa Samastipur
3 Jogiyara Darbhanga
4 Pashraha Khagaria
5 Chausa Buxar
The major commodities handled at commissioned GCTs are Coal,
Container, Foodgrain, Fertilizers, Cement, Crane Consignment,
Petroleum and Automobiles etc. A total of 301.7 Million Tonnes of
traffic has been handled at these GCTs since their commissioning.
GCTs are being developed with ‘Engine-on-load’ operation for
reducing the detentions to achieve optimum of Railway
Infrastructure and are also equipped with modern facilities for
efficient handling of cargo like mechanized loading, silos etc.,
which help in reducing the handling time.
GCTs are being developed with the objective of enhancing the
modal share of Indian Railways. Rail transport is inherently more
environment friendly due to its lower carbon footprint, energy
efficiency and reduced congestion as compared to roads. Not only
does rail transport cost less than half of road transport, its carbon
dioxide emissions are 90 percent less than road transport.
Shifting traffic from road to rail is helping India decarbonize its
economy at scale. As compared to 2014 level, 2,672 MT more
freight has been shifted from road to rail which has resulted in
saving 143.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
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