India largest in-plant siding railway siding by Maruti Suzuki has opened in Manesar, enabling dispatch of 4.5 lakh vehicles annually. Linked to PM GatiShakti, it marks a major push in green logistics and rail infrastructure development.
Maruti Suzuki Launches India’s Largest In‑Plant Railway Siding at Manesar
On 17 June 2025, Maruti Suzuki inaugurated its second in‑plant railway siding—now the largest in India—at its Manesar facility in Haryana. This cutting‑edge terminal, inaugurated by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, is a major milestone in India’s green logistics landscape
Enhancing Logistics Capacity with In‑Plant Siding
Spread over 46 acres, the fully electrified terminal includes 4 rakelength lines, an engine escape track, and 8.2 km of internal rail grid. It directly connects to the Northern Railway via Patli station through a new 6.9 km corridor, feeding into the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor
Massive Annual Dispatch Potential
The siding can dispatch 450,000 cars annually, catering to 17 logistics hubs and as many as 380 cities, including rail access to major export ports like Mundra and Pipavav The facility’s first rake carried 276 vehicles to Nagpur
Green Logistics & Environmental Gains
Aligned with PM GatiShakti, this siding marks a significant environmental leap. Maruti projects annual savings of 60 million liters of fuel and a reduction of 175,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions The company plans to shift 35% of its car dispatches to rail by FY 2030‑31
Strategic Industry & Government Collaboration
The siding was constructed under the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) by HORCL, a consortium including HRIDC, HSIIDC, GMDA, and Maruti Suzuki—Maruti contributing ₹452 crore (₹325 crore HORC + ₹127 crore for yard setup)
Catalyst for Sustainable Industrial Growth
This project propels Haryana into a logistics powerhouse, easing road congestion, reducing vehicle trip volumes on NH‑48, and integrating the region more closely into global supply chains .
Why This News Matters for Exam Aspirants
Boost to Green Logistics & Sustainability
This development reflects India’s push toward low‐carbon logistics, demonstrating how policy measures like GatiShakti and HORC are implemented through industry–government partnerships.
Insight into Infrastructure & PM GatiShakti
Understanding large‑scale projects under PM GatiShakti helps aspirants link government schemes to tangible results—key in UPSC, SSC, railways, and police exams.
Industry–State Collaboration Model
Strategic investments of ₹452 crore showcase how public–private cooperation fosters industrial competitiveness and regional growth.
Environmental and Economic Co‑Benefits
Maruti’s shift from road to rail highlights how efficiency and sustainability can align—an exam-relevant example of development with environmental responsibility.
Transport & Policy Intersections
The integration of industrial manufacturing (e.g., Manesar’s auto hub) with rail infrastructure illustrates central and state coordination vital to India’s manufacturing boom.
Historical Context
Maruti Suzuki’s Rail Logistics Journey
Maruti Suzuki has been rail‑dispatching vehicles since 2014–15, with 2.5 million vehicles moved by rail to date The company introduced its first in‑plant siding at Gujarat in March 2024, with a capacity of 300,000 cars annually
Rise of Multi‑Modal Cargo Terminals
In December 2021, the government simplified rules to establish multi‑modal cargo terminals. Today, 108 such terminals are operational
Infrastructure & Rail Reforms
Under Ashwini Vaishnaw, railways’ annual budget surged from ~₹24 k crore to ₹250 k crore—ushering in reforms across stations, tracks, and multi‑modal linkages
Key Takeaways from Maruti Suzuki’s In‑Plant Railway Siding
| S.No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Manesar siding, India’s largest, spans 46 acres, has 8.2 km of tracks, and connects via a 6.9 km corridor to Northern Railway. |
| 2 | It can dispatch up to 450,000 vehicles per year to 17 hubs and 380 cities, plus export ports. |
| 3 | Annual environmental gains: 175,000 tCO₂ reduced and 60 million liters of fuel saved. |
| 4 | Maruti invested ₹452 crore (₹325 cr HORC, ₹127 cr yard); aligns with PM GatiShakti and HORC initiative. |
| 5 | Strategic goal: shift 35% of vehicle dispatches to rail by FY 2030‑31—a major step toward green logistics. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an in-plant railway siding?
An in-plant railway siding is a dedicated railway line located within an industrial plant or facility that allows direct loading and unloading of goods, bypassing external railway stations and reducing logistics time and costs.
2. Why is Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar railway siding significant?
It is currently India’s largest in-plant railway siding, allowing direct dispatch of up to 4.5 lakh vehicles per year. It supports green logistics and is aligned with India’s infrastructure and environmental goals.
3. How does this project contribute to environmental sustainability?
The facility is expected to save around 60 million litres of fuel annually and reduce 1.75 lakh tonnes of CO2 emissions, thereby reducing carbon footprint and traffic congestion.
4. What is the PM GatiShakti scheme?
PM GatiShakti is a central government initiative aimed at creating a multi-modal infrastructure ecosystem, integrating road, rail, air, and water transport for seamless logistics and connectivity.
5. How will this project benefit government exam aspirants?
This news relates to topics like infrastructure, green logistics, public-private partnerships, and government schemes like PM GatiShakti—all important for exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, and State PSCs.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
