MUMBAI : Indian Railways has achieved a major freight milestone with the successful operation of its first double-stack long-haul container train on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC). The 1.3-km-long train carried 360 TEUs from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Mumbai to CONCOR’s GCT Terminal at Varnama in Vadodara, covering around 422 km. The train departed from JNPT at 7 pm on August 21, 2026. The operation demonstrated the capability of the Western DFC to move a large volume of containerised freight in a single long-haul movement.
First double-stack long-haul train runs on Western DFC
The long-haul formation comprised two double-stack container rakes combined into a single train movement. Each rake carried 45+1 containers. The leading rake carried 1,817 tonnes, while the trailing rake carried 2,105 tonnes. Together, the two rakes transported 360 TEUs, with a combined tonnage of 3,922 tonnes. The formation covered approximately 422 km between JNPT and the Varnama terminal in Vadodara division.
360 TEUs moved from JNPT to Vadodara
The operation allowed a significantly larger volume of containerised freight to be transported in a single long-haul movement. By combining two double-stack rakes, Indian Railways demonstrated the potential to move more containers in one train rather than using multiple separate movements for an equivalent freight volume. The operation also highlights the role of dedicated freight infrastructure in supporting the movement of containerised cargo between ports and inland terminals.
Why this freight train operation matters
The long-haul double-stack formation can help improve the efficiency of container transportation in several ways. Moving more containers in a single train can reduce the number of train movements needed to transport the same volume of freight. This can help make better use of available capacity on dedicated freight routes. It can also support faster evacuation of containers from ports and terminals, potentially helping reduce container dwelling time and terminal congestion.More containers, fewer train movements.
Indian Railways said long-haul double-stack operations can reduce the requirement for locomotives and container flat wagons needed to transport an equivalent volume of freight. Higher carrying capacity per movement can also improve the utilisation of available route capacity. Fewer train movements may be needed to move the same amount of cargo, allowing the freight corridor to handle larger volumes more efficiently. The operation can also support faster freight movement and help reduce overall transit time for containerised cargo.
How it can reduce freight congestion
The higher carrying capacity of a single long-haul train can help speed up the evacuation of containers from JNPT and other freight terminals. By moving more cargo in fewer train movements, such operations can help reduce pressure on terminals and improve the flow of freight towards inland destinations. The Western DFC is designed to facilitate the movement of freight, and the latest operation demonstrates how long-haul and double-stack capabilities can be combined to transport larger container volumes.
What it means for India’s freight network
The first double-stack long-haul container train on the Western DFC marks an important operational development for India’s freight transportation network. The 360-TEU movement from JNPT to Vadodara shows the potential of combining long-haul formations with double-stack container operations to move more freight in a single train. The operation also supports rail-based freight transportation. The train was electrically hauled, reducing dependence on diesel-powered road transportation. Moving larger cargo volumes by rail can help reduce the number of trucks required for equivalent freight movement, potentially lowering diesel consumption, road congestion and vehicular emissions.
