DFCCIL Invites Industry Participation for Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Projects

Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) has invited expressions of interest (EOIs) from private and semi-government entities to develop Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) on both railway and non-railway land under the central government's flagship Gati Shakti policy.

The call for participation aligns with DFCCIL’s multi-modal cargo terminal strategy introduced in December 2021. These terminals, aimed at transforming stations along Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors into economic hubs, will be developed via public-private partnerships (PPPs). Eligible applicants include logistics firms, manufacturers, real estate developers, third-party logistics players, warehousing investors, container train operators, and government bodies.

Terminals will be structured in two categories: Schedule 1 (non-railway land) and Schedule 2 (railway-owned land). Developers are entitled to exclusive cargo handling rights and can set terminal and access charges per agreed terms. Notably, land license fees are capped at 1.5% of market value annually, with streamlined approvals and waiver of supervisory costs for DFCCIL.

The initiative marks a significant push to scale up terminal development. DFCCIL plans to issue RFPs for 20 terminals in 2024, with the target of establishing 100 terminals by March 2025. So far, four GCTs have been commissioned under Schedule 2, including New Rewari, Bhaupur, Daud Khan, and recently, New Gothangam on the Western DFC. Additional terminals at New Sardhana and New Sakun are in the construction phase, with New Dabla approval expected shortly.