Indian Railways Operates First Double-Stack Long-Haul Container Train from JNPT to Vadodara
Delhi/Ferozepur, August 22, 2026: Indian Railways achieved a major operational milestone on August 21, 2026, by successfully operating its first double-stack long-haul container train from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Mumbai, to CONCOR’s GCT terminal at Varnama in Vadodara Division.
The train, carrying a total of 360 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of containers, covered a distance of approximately 422 km. The load departed from JNPT at 7 pm on August 21.
The long-haul formation comprised two double-stack rakes. The leading rake on the JNPT–Vadodara route had a load of 45+1 containers, was hauled by locomotive 60311 and carried 1,817 tonnes. The trailing rake, also operating on the JNPT–Vadodara route, had a load of 45+1 containers, was hauled by locomotive 24690 and carried 2,105 tonnes.
Together, the two rakes transported 360 TEUs in a single long-haul movement, demonstrating Indian Railways’ capability to handle a significantly higher volume of containerised freight efficiently.
The operation is expected to provide several advantages, including reduced congestion at ports and freight terminals. By transporting a larger number of containers in a single train, the dwelling time of containers can be reduced, facilitating faster evacuation from terminals.
Long-haul double-stack operations also help reduce the requirement for locomotives and container flat wagons for transporting an equivalent volume of freight. Carrying more containers in a single movement further reduces the number of train movements required and enables better utilisation of available railway route capacity.
The initiative is also expected to contribute to faster freight movement and reduced overall transit time, while increasing the freight-carrying capacity of each train and helping lower transportation costs.
The operation underlines Indian Railways’ commitment to promoting green and sustainable freight transportation. As an electrically hauled train, the movement reduces dependence on diesel-powered road transport.
A single long-haul double-stack container train can carry cargo equivalent to the freight that would otherwise require a large number of trucks. This can help reduce diesel consumption, road congestion, vehicular emissions and the overall carbon footprint of freight transportation.