The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has commenced long-haul double-stack (D/S) rail operations on the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), with the departure of its first such rake from the port on August 21, 2026.
The rake departed JNPA at 1900 hrs, bound for CGMV, carrying 360 TEUs of import cargo handled through BMCTPL, operated by PSA. The movement marks a significant step in strengthening JNPA’s long-distance rail connectivity and improving the evacuation of EXIM cargo from India’s largest container port.
The introduction of long-haul double-stack operations will allow larger volumes of cargo to be moved in a single rake, increasing the capacity and efficiency of rail-based freight transportation. For import cargo, the enhanced connectivity is expected to support faster evacuation, reduce dwell time at the port and shorten transit times to inland destinations.
The successful movement also highlights JNPA’s growing rail infrastructure capabilities and its readiness to handle high-capacity, double-stack and long-haul freight operations. By providing an efficient rail alternative for long-distance EXIM cargo movement, the initiative is expected to ease logistics bottlenecks and improve supply chain efficiency.
Stronger integration with the DFC network will further improve JNPA’s connectivity with key inland markets and logistics hubs. Faster and more predictable rail movement from the gateway port to inland destinations can help streamline cargo flows and provide greater reliability to importers, exporters and other stakeholders.
The initiative is also aligned with JNPA’s broader efforts to improve cargo evacuation and overall port efficiency. Faster movement and lower import dwell times can enable earlier availability of cargo at inland destinations, supporting inventory planning and enhancing the competitiveness of India’s EXIM trade.
With continued investments in rail infrastructure and multimodal connectivity, JNPA is strengthening its role as a key gateway for India’s international trade. The commencement of long-haul double-stack DFC operations represents another step towards building a faster, more efficient and reliable freight network.
