Seven New Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals to Boost Odisha’s Logistics, Industrial Growth

With these approvals, the total number of GCTs in Odisha will rise to 17. Ten terminals have already been commissioned in the state, strengthening industrial supply chains and delivering tangible benefits to the local economy. The additional seven terminals are expected to further reinforce Odisha’s economic infrastructure and improve cargo movement for key industries.

The Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal policy, launched in December 2021, aims to facilitate the rapid development of cargo terminals across the Indian Railways network. The policy is designed to attract incremental freight traffic by offering a simplified application and approval process. Under the framework, applicants are exempt from departmental charges and land licence fees for railway land used for connectivity, while Indian Railways undertakes the construction and maintenance of common-user traffic facilities at serving stations.         Highlighting the nationwide progress, Vaishnaw said that 120 GCT locations have already been commissioned across India, with another 133 sites at various stages of development. In Odisha alone, 10 terminals are operational, and seven more have now been approved for construction.

A recent example of the policy’s success is the GCT commissioned last month at Jakhapura in Jajpur district, under the Khurda Road division of the East Coast Railway (ECoR). Developed at an investment of ₹36.85 crore, the terminal has four handling lines and is designed to manage around 86 rakes per month. It primarily handles cement as an outward commodity, while clinker, slag and gypsum are moved as inward cargo.

 “The expansion of GCTs will play a crucial role in strengthening regional logistics networks and further solidifying India’s position as a global logistics hub,” ECoR sources said.