Rlys identified 80 locations for GCTs

On Cargo Drive

• Govt announced GCT in Dec 2021
• It aims to boost investment from industry
• Focus on development of addl terminals for handling rail cargos
• Govt to commission 100 GCTs
• Pvt players allowed to develop GCTs on non-Railway land

New Delhi: The Railways Ministry has identified 80 more locations for the development of Gatishakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs). So far, it has commissioned 51 GCTs, official sources told Bizz Buzz.

The commissioning process has gathered steam in the last few months, as till the third week of October 2023, only 15 GCTs were commissioned, the sources said, adding that the government intends to commission 100 GCTs.

Private players are developing the GCTs, which can be developed on non-Railway land or fully/partially on Railway land. For GCTs to be developed on non-Railway land, the operators identify the location and construct the terminal after obtaining the necessary approvals.

For GCTs to be developed either fully or partially on Railway land, the land parcels are identified by Railways and the operator for construction. The operation of the terminal is selected through the open tendering process.

The GCT policy was launched in December 2021 to boost investment from industry for the development of additional terminals for handling rail cargos. The policy framework encourages private parties, agencies, and companies to participate in the establishment of these terminals, thereby generating direct and indirect employment opportunities, the government said in Parliament in August last year.

The GCT policy involves a simplified application and approval process for quick and hassle-free approvals, the sources said. Neither any departmental charges are levied on applicants nor are they supposed to pay any land licence fees for the Railway land used for connectivity.

They are also exempted from the cost of commercial staff. All common-user traffic facilities at the serving station are constructed and maintained by the Railways, the sources said. The maintenance of all assets (track, signaling, etc.) is done by the Railways at its own cost, excluding the yard and loading/unloading lines.

All new and under-construction/under-approval cargo terminals are covered under the GCT policy, the sources said.