Freight Infrastructure
Chamber of Marathwada Industries Urges Inclusion of AURIC Under Railways' Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Scheme
The Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA) strongly urged that Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) be included under the Gati Shakti Multi Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) project to support the region's expanding industrial base and growing export potential. The push came during a visit by an IIM Bangalore delegation as part of a study being undertaken to prepare a rail freight development roadmap for the Railway Board.
| Industrial Investments | Region attracting industrial investments exceeding ₹1 lakh crore, driven by companies such as Toyota, JSW, Ather, Piramal and Hyosung |
|---|---|
| Export Growth Forecast | Manufacturing output and domestic and international exports expected to double over the next seven to eight years |
| AURIC Project Size | Greenfield industrial smart city spread over an area of 10,000 acres (40 km²) near Aurangabad, Maharashtra |
| Land Use Split | 60% of the land in AURIC is for industrial usage, while the remaining 40% is intended for residential, commercial and other purposes |
| IIM Delegation Members | Rajeev Tripathi, Prof G Raghuram, Krishna Mohan and Ravishankar from the South Central Railway |
| GCT Network Status | 15 GCTs have already been commissioned and around 96 more locations have been provisionally identified for development |
| Infrastructure Requested | Chamber stressed need to develop container handling facilities, warehousing infrastructure, logistics parks and multimodal transport facilities |
| Rail Sidings Priority | CMIA sought dedicated railway connectivity and railway sidings for the Shendra MIDC and Bidkin industrial areas |
The Request
An Indian Institute of Management Bangalore delegation visited the Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA) to hold detailed discussions with industry representatives on strengthening the region's rail freight infrastructure, during which CMIA strongly urged that AURIC be included under the Gati Shakti Multi Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) project.
The IIM Bangalore delegation, comprising Rajeev Tripathi, Prof G Raghuram, Krishna Mohan and Ravishankar from the South Central Railway, interacted with industry representatives to understand current and future freight requirements, existing railway infrastructure and logistics challenges.
The Industrial Opportunity
CMIA highlighted that the region is attracting industrial investments exceeding ₹1 lakh crore, driven by major companies such as Toyota, JSW, Ather, Piramal and Hyosung. With manufacturing output and domestic and international exports expected to double over the next seven to eight years, CMIA emphasised the urgent need to strengthen rail freight infrastructure.
Improved logistics infrastructure would significantly reduce transportation costs and enhance the competitiveness of industries.
What CMIA Is Asking For
The Chamber sought dedicated railway connectivity and railway sidings for the Shendra MIDC and Bidkin industrial areas. It further stressed the need to develop container handling facilities, warehousing infrastructure, logistics parks and multimodal transport facilities to reduce logistics costs, improve turnaround time and enhance export competitiveness.
About AURIC
Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) is a greenfield industrial smart city spread over an area of 10,000 acres (40 km²) near Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. It is a part of the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project (DMIC).
On 7 September 2019, the Aurangabad Industrial City was inaugurated as the first industrial integrated smart city of India under the Government of India's flagship Smart Cities Mission. AURIC is managed by the Maharashtra Industrial Township Limited (formerly Aurangabad Industrial Township Ltd), a special purpose vehicle and joint venture between the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation.
The Study and Next Steps
The visit was part of a study being undertaken to prepare a rail freight development roadmap for the Railway Board. Over the past two days, the IIM delegation had interacted with officials of the Jalna Dry Port, railway authorities in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, logistics service providers and industry representatives; based on these interactions and field visits, a comprehensive report on rail freight infrastructure development will be submitted to the Railway Board.
Locations for GCTs are being identified/finalized on the basis of demand from industry and potential of Cargo Traffic. The inclusion of AURIC in the GCT network depends on the Railway Board's review of the IIM study findings and the demand assessment from regional industry stakeholders.
Land use
Frequently asked questions
What is a Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)?
A new 'Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)' policy has been launched on 15.12.2021 in order to boost investment from industry in development of additional terminals for handling rail cargos. Salient features include simplified application and approval process for quick and hassle-free approvals, no departmental charges levied on the applicant, and no Land License Fees charged for the Railway land used for connectivity.
Why is CMIA seeking inclusion of AURIC under the GCT scheme?
The region is attracting industrial investments exceeding ₹1 lakh crore with manufacturing output and exports expected to double in the next 7-8 years. Enhanced rail freight infrastructure and a dedicated cargo terminal would reduce logistics costs and improve export competitiveness for these growing industries.
What are Shendra and Bidkin?
The Government of Maharashtra decided to develop the Shendra and Bidkin neighborhoods of Aurangabad as a planned industrial township under DMIC. The Shendra node is 2,000 acres (8.1 km²) and the Bidkin node is 8,000 acres (32 km²).
How many GCTs currently exist or are planned?
15 GCTs have already been commissioned and around 96 more locations have been provisionally identified for development of GCTs. It has been targeted to commission 100 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals within the next three financial years.
When was AURIC inaugurated and who manages it?
On 7 September 2019, the Aurangabad Industrial City was inaugurated as the first industrial integrated smart city of India under the Government of India's flagship Smart Cities Mission. AURIC's development and implementation is being undertaken by Aurangabad Industrial Township Ltd (AITL), a special purpose vehicle between Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation.
What outcome will the IIM Bangalore study produce?
Based on interactions and field visits, a comprehensive report on rail freight infrastructure development will be submitted to the Railway Board. This report will inform medium-term planning for freight corridors and targeted investments to support industrial corridors in Marathwada.
Sources
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: CMIA Pushes For Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal In AURIC
- Aurangabad Industrial City
- South Central Railway Signs MoU With IIM Bangalore For Freight Study
- Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals
- 15 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal commissioned by Railways so far
- AURIC – Aurangabad Industrial City
- Aurangabad Industrial City: The Week