Maruti Suzuki India Limited has achieved a historic first in automotive logistics by becoming the first automobile manufacturer in the country to dispatch vehicles to the Kashmir Valley by rail. This move utilizes the recently commissioned railway infrastructure, greatly enhancing connectivity to the region.
The maiden train, carrying over 100 Maruti Suzuki vehicles including models like the Brezza, Dzire, WagonR, and S-Presso, departed from the Company’s recently inaugurated Manesar in-plant railway siding. The train traveled over 850 kilometers to reach the newly opened Anantnag railway terminal in Jammu & Kashmir.
Transformative Infrastructure and Strategic Route
A key highlight of the journey was the train crossing the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab river. This engineering marvel was inaugurated earlier this year as part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
The Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasized the transformative impact of the rail link, stating that the Jammu – Srinagar railway line is a game changer for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, highlighted the importance of this development:
“The world’s highest railway arch bridge over Chenab river is one such landmark, enabling seamless and efficient connectivity to Kashmir valley and allowing Maruti Suzuki to better serve customers in the region”.
Maruti Suzuki’s Green Logistics Commitment
Rail dispatches are central to Maruti Suzuki’s logistics strategy. The company is aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan and currently operates two in-plant railway sidings inside its Manesar and Gujarat manufacturing plants.
Maruti Suzuki has been a pioneer in promoting railways as a sustainable and efficient mode of vehicle transportation.
- AFTO License: It was the first automobile company to obtain an AFTO (Automobile-Freight-Train-Operator) license, back in 2013.
- Cumulative Dispatches: Since FY 2014-15, the Company has dispatched over 2.6 million vehicles using Indian Railways, significantly reducing carbon emissions and easing road congestion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Which major infrastructure project made this rail delivery possible? The delivery was made possible by the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
- What famous structure did the train cross en route to Anantnag? The train crossed the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab river.
- How many vehicles were in the first consignment, and where did the train originate? The train carried over 100 Maruti Suzuki vehicles and departed from the Manesar in-plant railway siding.
- How far did the train travel to reach the Kashmir Valley? The train traveled over 850 kilometers.
- How many total vehicles has Maruti Suzuki dispatched by rail since FY 2014-15? The company has dispatched over 2.6 million vehicles using Indian Railways since FY 2014-15.
- Where are Maruti Suzuki’s two in-plant railway sidings located? The two in-plant railway sidings are located inside its Manesar and Gujarat manufacturing plants.
- What does Maruti Suzuki’s MD & CEO say about the strategic importance of rail? Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi stated that Railway dispatches are central to our logistics strategy.
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