Photo Credit: India Today
In a major step toward sustainable logistics and efficient transportation, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has inaugurated India’s largest in-plant railway siding at its Manesar manufacturing facility in Haryana. This strategic infrastructure is expected to significantly enhance the company’s logistics efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and support the automaker’s commitment to environmentally responsible operations.
A Major Milestone in Green Logistics
The newly launched in-plant railway siding, developed in partnership with Indian Railways, marks a landmark moment for India’s automotive sector. Located within the Manesar facility premises, the railway siding is designed to facilitate direct loading of vehicles from the plant onto railway wagons, reducing dependence on road-based transportation.
The project was commissioned under the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy and aims to revolutionize the way finished vehicles are transported across the country. According to Maruti Suzuki, this infrastructure is expected to dispatch over 3 lakh vehicles annually in the initial phase, which could later be scaled up.
Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Reducing Carbon Footprint
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative.
“We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint in all areas of operations. The new railway siding at Manesar will not only increase efficiency but also significantly reduce truck movement and vehicular emissions,” said Takeuchi.
By reducing road trips for vehicle delivery, the siding is expected to cut down CO₂ emissions by over 35,000 tonnes annually. In addition, it will lead to a decrease in the use of over 17,000 truck trips per year, making it a game-changer in sustainable vehicle logistics.
Infrastructure Details and Capacity
Developed at an investment of over ₹360 crore, the in-plant railway siding spans approximately 12,000 square meters and includes:
- Dedicated loading tracks for seamless dispatch of vehicles.
- Automated vehicle loading systems to minimize manual handling.
- Capacity to dispatch 300,000 vehicles annually, with future scalability options.
The siding has direct connectivity to the Indian Railways network, enabling nationwide vehicle distribution to far-flung markets, including North East India, South India, and Western regions.
Boosting Make in India and Logistics Efficiency
The railway siding aligns with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Gati Shakti’ initiatives, which emphasize infrastructure development and logistics efficiency. By incorporating rail-based logistics into the production ecosystem, Maruti Suzuki is not only streamlining its operations but also contributing to the broader national agenda of improving multi-modal transportation.
This strategic development is also expected to reduce lead times in vehicle deliveries, improve supply chain predictability, and enhance customer satisfaction by ensuring faster reach of products to dealerships.
Increasing Share of Rail Transport in Maruti Suzuki’s Logistics
Over the last decade, Maruti Suzuki has significantly increased its reliance on rail transport. In FY 2024 alone, more than 47% of the company’s outbound vehicle dispatches were done via Indian Railways, which is a substantial leap compared to earlier years.
The Manesar siding further consolidates the company’s logistics transformation journey. Maruti Suzuki has already been using railway terminals in Gujarat and other locations, but this is the first time such a large-scale in-plant facility has been set up within its factory premises.
Industry Impact and Future Plans
The inauguration of this mega railway siding is expected to set a precedent for other automotive manufacturers in India. It not only demonstrates the feasibility of integrating railway logistics within plant infrastructure but also showcases the long-term benefits in terms of environmental conservation and cost-efficiency.
Looking ahead, Maruti Suzuki is also exploring similar infrastructure at its other production facilities, including the upcoming Kharkhoda plant in Haryana, which is expected to become operational in the coming years.
