The Vande Bharat parcel train is set to be launched within two months, officials at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Perambur said.
The train has been built with 16 coaches and can carry up to 264 tonnes of goods. It is designed to operate at a maximum speed of 160 kmph and an average speed of 90 kmph, compared with the current average of 50 kmph for goods trains, according to ICF officials.
The service is aimed at expediting the movement of goods, particularly processed food items, which are often transported via costly cargo flights.
Officials said the new service will provide companies with a safer and more economical alternative.
The Vande Bharat parcel train will initially run on the Mumbai–Kolkata route.
Companies signing long-term contracts with the railways for parcel transport will be eligible for discounts.
Construction of the train at ICF has been underway for a year. Before operations begin, the train will undergo cargo inspections, including checks by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) next month, to ensure compliance with safety standards, officials said.
