<p data-path-to-node="2" id="p-rc_1ed5db525efb52c0-241"><span data-path-to-node="2,0"><b data-path-to-node="2,0" data-index-in-node="0">LUDHIANA / MUNDRA —</b> In an operational move to accelerate post-harvest evacuation and insulate agrarian supply chains from highway transit delays ahead of peak export shipping schedules, state-owned multimodal logistics carrier Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), in operational coordination with Western Railway and Northern Railway, has officially flagged off a high-capacity, scheduled double-stack agricultural export block-train service running directly from the dry port hinterlands of Punjab to the maritime container berths of Mundra Port in Gujarat</span><span data-path-to-node="2,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="2,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="3" id="p-rc_1ed5db525efb52c0-242"><span data-path-to-node="3,0">The regularized, time-tabled intermodal freight loop originates from CONCOR’s flagship Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Dhandari Kalan near Ludhiana</span><span data-path-to-node="3,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="3,2">. Carrying an inaugural consolidated manifest of 90 forty-foot high-cube containers (aggregating 180 TEUs stacked in a two-tier formation), the block rake transports export-grade basmati and non-basmati rice, processed grain consignments, organic pulses, and bulk oilseeds bound directly for international distribution networks across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Europe, and North America</span><span data-path-to-node="3,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="3,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_1ed5db525efb52c0-243"><span data-path-to-node="4,0">Historically, agricultural exporters, rice millers, and agrarian consortiums across the agrarian food bowls of Punjab and Haryana grappled with severe logistics bottlenecks when routing shipments to India's western seaboard</span><span data-path-to-node="4,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,2">. Moving containerized grain via long-haul highway trucking across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat routinely subjected consignments to transit cycles stretching between 60 and 80 hours</span><span data-path-to-node="4,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,4">. These multi-axle diesel truck convoys faced highway congestion, inter-state toll delays, monsoonal diversions, and seasonal truck availability crunches, driving up spot drayage tariffs and causing export boxes to miss critical ocean vessel cut-offs at coastal docks</span><span data-path-to-node="4,5"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,6">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="5" id="p-rc_1ed5db525efb52c0-244"><span data-path-to-node="5,0">The newly operationalized intermodal service eliminates these landside vulnerabilities by running directly along the electrified, heavy-haul alignment of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC)</span><span data-path-to-node="5,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,2">. By shifting heavy export volumes onto grade-separated, double-track rail infrastructure completely isolated from passenger train traffic, CONCOR and Western Railway guarantee a fixed origin-to-berth transit turnaround of under 30 hours, compressing traditional surface transit times by more than 50%</span><span data-path-to-node="5,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="6" id="p-rc_1ed5db525efb52c0-245"><span data-path-to-node="6,0">To shield sensitive food grains and agricultural parcels against en-route weather fluctuations, ambient heat, and transit sweating, CONCOR has assigned a specialized pool of 40-foot high-cube ventilated ISO containers alongside moisture-barrier units</span><span data-path-to-node="6,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,2">. These containers feature continuous cross-ventilation channels and interior humidity barriers that inhibit moisture condensation, mold growth, and pest development during long-distance haulage</span><span data-path-to-node="6,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,4">. Each container is secured with customs-approved RFID electronic seals (e-Seals)</span><span data-path-to-node="6,5"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,6">. Consignment tracking data, Verified Gross Mass (VGM) certificates, and electronic railway receipts (e-RRs) are harmonized in real time through the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) and ICEGATE, enabling automated pre-berthing customs clearance while the rake is underway</span><span data-path-to-node="6,7"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,8">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="7" id="p-rc_1ed5db525efb52c0-246"><span data-path-to-node="7,0">At the maritime terminal interface in Mundra, the service is integrated directly into on-dock rail sidings</span><span data-path-to-node="7,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,2">. Arriving rakes roll straight beneath automated Rail-Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes, allowing import-export boxes to transfer directly between rail flatcars and vessel crane staging lanes without intermediate yard dwell or off-dock road drayage</span><span data-path-to-node="7,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="8" id="p-rc_1ed5db525efb52c0-247"><span data-path-to-node="8,0">Trade economists and agricultural logistics analysts note that shifting agricultural export volumes to scheduled electrified double-stack rail rakes lowers inland freight transportation costs by 18% to 22% compared to conventional highway trucking</span><span data-path-to-node="8,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,2">. By eliminating multiple handling points and road-induced vibration, post-harvest transit spoilage is reduced to under 1%, directly boosting net realization for regional millers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)</span><span data-path-to-node="8,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="9" id="p-rc_1ed5db525efb52c0-248"><span data-path-to-node="9,0">CONCOR and Western Railway confirmed that the Ludhiana–Mundra double-stack agro-loop will operate on a guaranteed bi-weekly rotation, scaling up to daily scheduled departures as peak autumn crop arrivals reach full momentum across northern mandis</span><span data-path-to-node="9,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,2">.</span></p>