Railway Containers Manufacturing Park
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2714
ANSWERED ON: 10.03.2025
Railway Containers Manufacturing Park
Mahendrabhai Kalubhai Munjpara
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-
(a) Whether Surendranagar district has lots of vacant land available near Surendranagar railway yards and if so, the details thereof;
(b) If so, whether the Government has any plans to set up a railway containers manufacturing park in Surendranagar district in the Gujarat; and
(c) If so, the details thereof?
ANSWER: MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) Available vacant land near Surendranagar Junction Railway yard has been kept reserved for future development of Yard keeping in view doubling of Surendranagar-Rajkot Kanalus Section, electrification of Surendranagar Rajkot-Okha Section, development of Goods yards, stabling lines, Electric loco shed, Construction of offices, staff quarters etc. as may be required in future.
(b) No such proposal has been received.
(c) Does not arise.
Here’s what I found regarding the idea of a “Railway Containers Manufacturing Park” and related logistics developments in India:
Railway Containers Manufacturing Park – Status & Context
1. No Such Park Yet—As of March 2021
In a Lok Sabha answer, the Railways clarified that although there’s vacant land near Surendranagar (Gujarat) earmarked for future use, there is no proposal to establish a railway containers manufacturing park in that area
2. Growing Ecosystem: Container Manufacturing Companies
While a dedicated railway containers manufacturing park doesn’t exist, the sector is expanding through other means:
- The Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) is enhancing its cargo infrastructure by setting up Container Freight Stations (CFS) at logistics parks like Kathuwas MMLP, Rajasthan, in collaboration with private firms.
- Aawadkrupa Plastomech Pvt. Ltd., based in Bhavnagar (Gujarat), manufactures ISO containers and is scaling up production—from 15 per day currently to up to 100 per day—with backing from the Railway Ministry.
- Braithwaite & Co. (BCL) is investing in infrastructure at its Hooghly facility (Kolkata region), aiming to become a self-reliant hub for civilian container manufacturing (both 20’ and 40’ ISO types).
These developments indicate a dispersed but active container manufacturing ecosystem aligned with the “Make in India” agenda.
Broader Logistics & Container Facilities by Indian Railways
Beyond manufacturing, Indian Railways is also expanding its logistical infrastructure:
- 23 new specialized container terminals are being developed across India—covering states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. These terminals focus exclusively on container freight (excluding bulk items like coal/iron) and feature investor-friendly terms and a hub-and-spoke model.
- A multi-modal logistics park (MMLP) has been operational since 2025 near Balli Station, Goa—offering container handling, bonded warehousing, and faster cargo movement to JNPT port.
Visual Context: Various container freight stations, container stacking yards, and logistics setups.
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Railway Containers Manufacturing Park | No current proposal in Surendranagar as of 2025 |
| Active Manufacturing Units | BCL in Kolkata (ISO containers), Aawadkrupa in Bhavnagar (scaling to 100/day) |
| New Container Terminals | 23 proposed across India under Container-only policy |
| Multi-modal Logistics Parks | Balli (Goa) active since 2025; others developing under PM Gati Shakti policy |
| Supportive Framework | Favorable terms for private investment & hub-and-spoke cargo models |
The plan for a centralized manufacturing park hasn’t materialized yet. However, container production is increasing through company-led setups and freight and terminal infrastructure is being expanded aggressively.
Let me know if you’d like more on specific regional manufacturing hubs, MMLP locations, or investment policies shaping these developments!