The Indian Railways, on 15th December 2021, had implemented the new cargo policy named the Gati Shakti Multi Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) Policy. Under this policy, owners of private sidings & private freight stations would not have to pay land licensing fees for using railways tracks that connect their private sites to the nearest rail line.
Under this policy, the first GCT was commissioned today in the Asansol Division for a private siding of the Maithan Power Project. The cargo terminal on this siding is expected to handle 120 inward coal rakes per month and 2-4 outward fly-ash rakes, thereby, taking the Railways’ total revenue by around INR 11 crore per month. The project is aimed to take forward the Prime Minster’s vision of Gati Shakti Master Plan for India’s ultimate economic development. The Maithan Power project was initiated in 2009 and the plant started generating power in 2011.
Transportation by rail is good for the economy as it is the most energy-efficient and the most economical mode of transport. The commissioning of this terminal and more such terminals will have a very positive impact on the economy of the nation.”
V. K. Tripathi, Railway Board Chairman and CEO
The cargo terminal is situated in Thaparnagar, Jharkhand and in the vicinity of industrial and mining area.
