Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurates Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub, Launches Door-to-Door Freight Services

Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, virtually inaugurated the Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub and flagged off two new Door-to-Door Freight and Parcel Services.

Speaking at the event, the Minister emphasized that door-to-door logistics services are crucial for enhancing efficiency and reducing logistics costs across the country. He noted that industries will now be able to send smaller consignments, even a few containers, without the need to fill an entire rake, offering greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Shri Vaishnaw highlighted that the logistical gap between factories and railway loading or unloading points will now be bridged by Indian Railways’ integrated service model. He added that goods sheds and logistics terminals will be equipped with facilities for stuffing and de-stuffing containers, enabling customers to fully leverage the benefits of the new door-to-door freight delivery system.

The Union Minister mentioned that Sonik has become the first integrated logistics hub offering this facility. Under the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals initiative, 115 terminals have been developed to provide multimodal services, delivering substantial benefits to customers.

Starting with the Mumbai–Kolkata corridor, more services will soon be operational to ensure the smooth movement of goods and expand connectivity to more cities. The Minister added that another experiment has also proven successful, transporting equipment such as tractors at affordable rates to benefit farmers. Just as car cargo is moved efficiently, similar transportation facilities will now be extended for tractors and heavy construction equipment(JCB).

Shri Satish Kumar, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board emphasized that the door-to-door delivery initiative represents a paradigm shift in rail-based logistics, where a consignee’s consignment is picked up directly from the warehouse or factory and delivered to the final destination by Indian Railways. Aligned with the logistics vision of Viksit Bharat, this initiative signifies the beginning of Indian Railways’ transformation from being a transporter of goods to becoming a complete logistics service provider for freight customers.