Mumbai, Jun 30 (PTI) Logistics operator Gateway Distriparks on Friday said it has commenced double stack rail transportation services between their Viramgam (Ahmedabad) ICD to Mundra Port for its Export-Import (EXIM) trade customers.

The first double stack train was flagged off on Thursday, Gateway Distriparks Ltd (GDL) said.

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This will significantly enhance operational efficiency, improve asset productivity for the company's 31 trains and ultimately reduce the overall cost of logistics for the trade, the company said.

At the same time, it will expedite container evacuation at the port and its Inland Container Depots (ICDs), GDL said.

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Spread over 40 acres, ICD Viramgam has a capacity to handle 2,00,000 TEUs per annum with two rail sidings used for consolidating containers for double stack rail services.

"The double stack train operations will help us with faster evacuation of containers and reduce dwell time at the port for our customers," Rajguru Behgal, President for Rail at Gateway Distriparks Limited, said.

As ICD Viramgam is a hub that the GDL uses for consolidating containers for double stack operations, the company will greatly benefit from this development not only for the ICD Viramgam market but also for the Northern India ICDs, he added.

The company said it can leverage its strategically located network of ICDs by consolidating containers for multiple destinations at its hubs in Gurugram and Ahmedabad, which are connected to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.

GDL has a network of 10 ICDs and Container Freight Stations located across the country, operating a fleet of 31 train sets along with over 500 trailers for transportation between its facilities and maritime ports, as well as first and last-mile connectivity for the EXIM industry.

The company offers general and bonded warehousing, rail, and road transportation, and container handling services, among others.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)