Rajkot: Rajkot division of Western Railway has taken a major step in boosting freight efficiency with the successful operation of its first long-haul “Mega Freight Train”. Formed by merging two goods trains into a single 87-wagon formation, the train ran from Windmill near Jamnagar to Katosan Road in the Ahmedabad division.Operated on March 24, the mega train covered around 306km at an average speed of 30.5 kmph, a notable improvement in operational efficiency and resource utilization. The run also generated revenue of Rs 40 lakh.The train comprised 45 container wagons and 42 covered wagons, allowing a larger volume of cargo to be transported in a single trip. This reduced the need for multiple train paths while ensuring better use of railway assets.Further enhancing efficiency, the long-haul train was operated with a single crew for the entire journey — significant optimization, as the two freight trains would require two separate crews.Divisional railway manager Giriraj Kumar Meena said the achievement reflects the division’s continued focus on enhancing freight operations. He added that such initiatives align with Indian Railways’ broader push towards modernizing logistics and strengthening its contribution to economic growth.Railway officials said long-haul operations like these help increase line capacity, improve throughput, cut transit time and reduce costs, while also optimizing manpower use. The successful maiden run highlights Rajkot division’s technical capability, careful planning and strong inter-divisional coordination.
