Indian Railways launches Auto Express - a car freight train

Indian Railways has flagged off a new freight train exclusive for the automobile industry. Named Auto Express, this new train will be operating from Gurgaon (Haryana) to Nidvanda (near Bangalore, Karnataka).

The Auto Express is a time-tabled freight train. It will ensure timely delivery of cars to the southern region of the country. According to Central Railway Minister, Mr Suresh Prabhu, launching a time-tabled automotive freight train will increase confidence of the auto industry on Indian Railways, which would in-turn enhance its revenues.

The Gurgaon-Bangalore route is already a mass volume run, with around 2,000 cars being transported every month. With the new train, volumes are expected to go up, and the Railways is even planning to increase the number of trips of the Auto Express, if the demand rises. As a result, car transportation traffic on this line is expected to increase to 6,000 units a month.

Moreover, the wagons of Auto Express have been specially designed and engineered to run at speeds of around 100 kmph. This has reduced the travel duration between Gurgaon to Bangalore from 70 hours to 57 hours.

Source: ET Auto