Governance
Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub & Flags Off Door-to-Door Freight and Parcel Services
By IndianMandarins- 15 Oct 2025
864New Delhi (15.10.2025): Union Minister for Railways,
Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini
Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated the Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub and flagged
off two new Door-to-Door Freight and Parcel Services. The Union Minister said that door-to-door services are
essential for the country, as they will enhance efficiency and significantly
reduce logistics costs. He highlighted that industries can now send a specific
number of containers without the need to fill an entire rake to their
destination. Vaishnaw added that the logistical gap between factories and the
loading/unloading points of trains will now be bridged by Indian Railways
through comprehensive door-to-door services. He further said that goods sheds
or logistics terminals will be equipped with facilities for stuffing and
de-stuffing containers, allowing customers to fully benefit from the new
service model. The Union Minister mentioned that Sonik has become the first
integrated logistics hub offering this facility. Under the Gati Shakti Cargo
Terminals initiative, 115 terminals have been developed to provide multimodal
services, delivering substantial benefits to customers. Starting with the Mumbai–Kolkata corridor, more services
will soon be operational to ensure the smooth movement of goods and expand
connectivity to more cities. The Minister added that another experiment has
also proven successful—transporting equipment such as tractors at affordable
rates to benefit farmers. Just as car cargo is moved efficiently, similar
transportation facilities will now be extended for tractors and heavy
construction equipment (JCB). Satish Kumar, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board emphasized
that the door-to-door delivery initiative represents a paradigm shift in
rail-based logistics—where a consignee’s consignment is picked up directly from
the warehouse or factory and delivered to the final destination by Indian
Railways. Aligned with the logistics vision of Viksit Bharat, this initiative
signifies the beginning of Indian Railways’ transformation from being a
transporter of goods to becoming a complete logistics service provider for
freight customers. It is noteworthy that Bhartiya Rail (Indian Railways) is the
world’s second largest freight carrier, transporting 1.6 billion tonnes of
goods annually.
Readers' Choice
Former Gujarat Cadre IAS Appointed As Chairperson Of 7th CPC Of West Bengal
West Bengal CS Gets Six-Month Extension
A Udhayan Appointed As Principal Chief Conservator Of Forest Of TN
Police Summon Ex Top Bureaucrat Pandian Over Missing Inquiry Reports
Ashok Barnwal Appointed As Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh
Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub & Flags Off Door-to-Door Freight and Parcel Services
By IndianMandarins - 2025-10-15 13:11:00
New Delhi (15.10.2025): Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated the Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub and flagged off two new Door-to-Door Freight and Parcel Services.
The Union Minister said that door-to-door services are essential for the country, as they will enhance efficiency and significantly reduce logistics costs. He highlighted that industries can now send a specific number of containers without the need to fill an entire rake to their destination. Vaishnaw added that the logistical gap between factories and the loading/unloading points of trains will now be bridged by Indian Railways through comprehensive door-to-door services. He further said that goods sheds or logistics terminals will be equipped with facilities for stuffing and de-stuffing containers, allowing customers to fully benefit from the new service model.
The Union Minister mentioned that Sonik has become the first integrated logistics hub offering this facility. Under the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals initiative, 115 terminals have been developed to provide multimodal services, delivering substantial benefits to customers.
Starting with the Mumbai–Kolkata corridor, more services will soon be operational to ensure the smooth movement of goods and expand connectivity to more cities. The Minister added that another experiment has also proven successful—transporting equipment such as tractors at affordable rates to benefit farmers. Just as car cargo is moved efficiently, similar transportation facilities will now be extended for tractors and heavy construction equipment (JCB).
Satish Kumar, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board emphasized that the door-to-door delivery initiative represents a paradigm shift in rail-based logistics—where a consignee’s consignment is picked up directly from the warehouse or factory and delivered to the final destination by Indian Railways. Aligned with the logistics vision of Viksit Bharat, this initiative signifies the beginning of Indian Railways’ transformation from being a transporter of goods to becoming a complete logistics service provider for freight customers.
It is noteworthy that Bhartiya Rail (Indian Railways) is the world’s second largest freight carrier, transporting 1.6 billion tonnes of goods annually.
