Railways Minister Reaffirms Commitment To ‘Mission 3000’ Amid Concerns Over Slow Freight Growth

Despite concerns over slow growth in Indian Railways freight loading, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has reaffirmed that the government's ambitious Mission 3000 remains on track. The initiative aims to achieve 3,000 million tonnes (MT) of cargo by 2030, with major infrastructure projects set to drive exponential growth in railway freight volumes.

“Mission 3000 is still very much in sight. Several projects, once completed, will result in a quantum jump in railway cargo transportation. For instance, the Sonnagar-Andal quadrupling project will significantly boost freight loading capacity. Similar growth is expected from other infrastructure upgrades,” Vaishnaw stated at a conference in New Delhi.

The Indian government is making record investments of ₹2.5 trillion annually in railway infrastructure to modernize the sector, which had been neglected in the past. To meet its rail freight target, Indian Railways must double its freight output over the next five years, ensuring increased efficiency and improved logistics for businesses across the country.