Ahmedabad, 5 August 2025 – DP World, one of India’s largest private rail freight operators, has launched two new domestic rail services linking Bhimasar and Hazira in Gujarat to Kolkata in West Bengal. These new services are designed to accelerate cargo movements between India’s western manufacturing clusters and key eastern trade hubs, bolstering the Make in India initiative and supporting the country’s logistics transformation.
The Bhimasar–Kolkata service will run twice a month with a transit time of 8 days and a capacity of 90 TEUs. The Hazira–Kolkata service will also operate twice a month, with a 7-day transit time and the same capacity, mainly carrying edible oils, chemicals, steel, industrial goods, food grains and salt on this key eastbound route.
Gujarat is one of the powerhouses of Indian manufacturing, with 182 industrial estates, 21 special economic zones[1], over 800 large industries, and more than 450,000 MSMEs[2], with a strong presence across sectors such as chemicals, petrochemicals, dairy, pharmaceuticals, cement, ceramics, gems & jewellery, textiles, and engineering. Kolkata plays a vital role in international trade, with strong export activity across major global economies—particularly in the leather, textile, and tea industries.
Adhendru Jain, Vice President, Rail and Inland Terminals, DP World Subcontinent, said: “These new services bridge two vital economic corridors. Gujarat’s dynamic manufacturing base and Kolkata’s role as a gateway to East and Northeast India. By enhancing connectivity between production and consumption markets, we’re enabling the smoother movement of goods like grains, industrial goods, chemicals, steel and retail cargo, supporting more agile supply chains and regional integration.”
“As India drives its logistics transformation under PM Gati Shakti and Make in India initiative, DP World remains committed to building future-ready infrastructure that boosts competitiveness, drives regional growth, and strengthens supply chain resilience” he added.
The new services are part of DP World’s ongoing investment of $207 million (₹1800 crore) in developing rail freight solutions in India. The company operates a rail network powered by over 100 owned container rakes, SFTO rakes, and more than 16,000 containers and trailers, unlocking faster, cleaner, and more reliable trade routes.
DP World’s container terminal at Mundra also plays a pivotal role in connecting Gujarat’s industrial base to global trade flows, while the upcoming 2.19 million TEU terminal at Tuna Tekra will further strengthen multimodal connectivity across the state and beyond.
DP World has developed an integrated ecosystem comprising seven inland terminals across India, a 15,000-pincode express cargo network and 5+ million sq. ft. of warehousing space integrated with transport nodes. The ecosystem also includes 3 world class Free Trade Warehousing Zones (FTWZs) and freight forwarding (FF) capabilities. This integrated network supports seamless cargo aggregation, value-added services, and efficient movement between ports, airports rail, and hinterland markets.