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Leased Parcel Cargo Express Train (PCET)

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Leased Parcel Cargo Express Train (PCET)

W.RLY INTRODUCES LEASED PARCEL CARGO EXPRESS TRAIN (PCET) BETWEEN KARAMBELI & NEW GUWAHATI GOODS SHED

Western Railway in pursuant to the new policy guidelines issued by Railway Board has introduced a new concept of leased Parcel Cargo Express Train (PCET) on round trip basis from Karambeli in Gujarat to New Guwahati Goods Shed (NGC) in North Frontier Railway from 28th April, 2025.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar – Chief Public Relations Officer of W. Rly, this is the first time over Western Railway that such a concept of leased Parcel Cargo Express Train has been introduced successfully. The tender has been awarded to M/s Mint Logistics for a period of six years (i.e. from 28th April, 2025 to 27th April, 2025. The freight for round trip of Parcel Cargo Express Train is Rs. 23,15,334/- (for composition of 15 VPS + 1 SLR).This parcel train has been assigned with the Train No. 00091 from Karambeli to New Guwahati Goods Shed and Train No. 00092 from New Guwahati Goods Shed to Karambeli and will run twice a week on scheduled time table. For the initial six months, the composition of PCET will be minimum 15 Parcel Vans of 23 tonnes each and 1 Brake Van (2 compartments of 4 tonnes each) having a total capacity of 353 tonnes. Thereafter, for next five and half years, the composition of PCET will be 20 Parcel Vans and 1 Brake Van having total capacity of 468 tonnes.

Accordingly, lumpsum leased freight will also be enhanced on pro-rata basis.

Source : https://wr.indianrailways.gov.in/

Here’s a detailed overview of the Leased Parcel Cargo Express Train (PCET) initiative by Indian Railways:

What Is a PCET?

A Parcel Cargo Express Train (PCET) is a dedicated cargo service where the entire parcel capacity—typically comprising multiple parcel vans and a brake van—is leased to a private operator for a fixed duration. These trains operate on a scheduled round-trip basis between designated stations.

  • The leasing model falls under the Comprehensive Parcel Leasing Policy (CPLP) introduced by Indian Railways:
    • Contracts span 6 years, with assured leased rates and a fixed escalation of ~10% from the 4th year.
    • Security deposit is set at 10% of the contract value for the first year, designed to encourage completion of the contract term.
    • Initial composition: at least 15 parcel vans + 1 brake van; this increases to 20 vans + 1 brake van after 6 months.

Notable PCET Examples

Western Railway: Karambeli ↔ New Guwahati Goods Shed

  • Inaugurated on April 28, 2025 under a lease awarded to Mint Logistics, valid for six years.
  • Train Nos: 00091 / 00092; operates twice weekly.
  • Capacity rose from 15 parcel vans (353 tonnes) to 20 vans (468 tonnes) after six months.

Southern Railway: Royapuram (Chennai) ↔ Patel Nagar (New Delhi)

  • Contract awarded to Rail Transport Corporation of India, spans Jan 2025–Jan 2031.
  • Operates twice a week (Wednesdays and Sundays).
  • Initial haul: 15 vans + 1 brake van (353 tonnes), increasing to 20 vans + 1 brake van (468 tonnes).
  • Expected revenue: ₹208 crore over 6 years; freight per round trip: ₹22 lakh.

Southern Railway: Chennai (Royapuram) ↔ Guwahati

  • Operated twice monthly, carrying items like cloth bales, tyres, spares, etc.
  • Journey spans ~2,716 km in ~62 hours.

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR): Agartala ↔ Sanehwal (Punjab)

  • Lease awarded to AVG Logistics Ltd. for ~₹68.95 crore over six years.
  • Runs twice a month, totaling 144 round trips.
  • Initially includes 15 parcel vans + 1 brake van, expanding to 20 vans after six months.
  • Transports rubber, pineapples, and more—designed to strengthen logistics in the northeast.

Earlier Northeast Route: Azara (Guwahati) ↔ Vasco da Gama (Goa)

  • India’s first leased PCET by NFR, carrying various regional goods.
  • Operated on a round-trip weekly basis, with initial composition similar to other PCETs.

Why PCETs Matter

  • High Capacity, Lower Road Congestion: Each PCET can carry the equivalent of ~50 truckloads, improving efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
  • Cost Efficiency: Transport costs are said to be lower than road transport, offering savings to shippers and consumers.
  • Fixed Contracts Provide Stability: Long-term contracts and defined escalation structures ensure planning security for operators.

Related Facts & Policy Background

  • The overarching Comprehensive Parcel Leasing Policy (CPLP) ensures pricing visibility, realistic bids, and flexibility for Zonal Railways to set reserve prices.
  • PCETs are part of a broader move to streamline parcel logistics with single-window operations, assured rakes, and timetable adherence.

Real-World Voices

“It will be faster… runs on a schedule… climate controlled… better suspension”
— a Reddit user reflecting on the potential of rail-based E‑commerce freight efforts like PCETs.

Summary Table

Route Operator Frequency Initial Vans + Brake Expansion Duration
Karambeli ↔ New Guwahati Mint Logistics Twice weekly 15 + 1 20 + 1 6 years
Chennai (Royapuram) ↔ Pat. Nagar Rail Transport Corporation Twice weekly 15 + 1 20 + 1 6 years
Chennai (Royapuram) ↔ Guwahati — Bi-monthly Similar configuration Similar —
Agartala ↔ Sanehwal AVG Logistics Ltd. Bi-monthly 15 + 1 20 + 1 6 years
Azara ↔ Vasco da Gama — Weekly 15 + 1 20 + 1 —

Let me know if you’d like help checking tender documents, logistics potential on a specific route, or performance analysis of PCET operations!

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