New Delhi: Indian Railway achieved a major operational milestone on 21.08.2026 by successfully dispatching its first double-stack long-haul container train from JNPT to carrying a total of 360 TEUs Containers towards the Varnama in Vadodara Division. The train formation covered a distance of approximately 422 km. The load departed from JNPT at 19:00 hrs.on dated 21.08.2026. Together, the formation carried 360 TEUs, demonstrating the capability of transporting a significantly higher volume of containerised freights in a single long-haul movement.
Benefits of Long-Haul Double-Stack Container Trains
Reduced Terminal Congestion: The movement of a larger number of containers in a single train will help reduce the dwelling time of containers at ports and terminals, thereby minimising terminal congestion and facilitating faster evacuation.
Reduced Requirement of Rolling Stock: Double-stack operations enable more containers to be transported in a single movement, reducing the requirement for locomotives and container flat wagons for handling the equivalent freight volume.
Better Utilisation of Route Capacity: Carrying more containers in a single train reduces the number of train movements required to transport the same volume of freight, thereby enabling better utilisation of available route capacity.
Reduced Transit Time: Long-haul container train operations facilitate faster movement and evacuation of containers, contributing to reduction in the overall transit time of freight.
Higher Freight Carrying Capacity: The higher container carrying capacity in a single movement facilitates faster evacuation of containers from JNPT and other freight terminals while helping reduce overall transportation costs.
Green and Sustainable Freight Transportation
The operation also underlines Indian Railways’ commitment towards green and sustainable freight transportation. Being an electrically hauled train, the movement reduces dependence on diesel-powered road transportation.
A single long-haul double-stack container train can transport cargo equivalent to that requiring a large number of trucks by road. This helps reduce diesel consumption, road congestion, vehicular emissions and the overall carbon footprint of freight transportation.
