DP World, the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), and transport technology firm Nevomo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch India’s first pilot project for autonomous magnetic rail freight.
The initiative will deploy Nevomo’s proprietary MagRail technology to automate and electrify cargo movement within the DPA terminal at Kandla. A 750-meter pilot track will be developed to test the feasibility of self-propelled, electric-powered wagons operating on existing rail lines using linear motor technology.
Officials said the system is designed to boost efficiency, speed, and capacity for both containerized and bulk cargo while cutting costs and CO₂ emissions.
DPA Chairman Shri Sushil Kumar Singh called the project a “strategic advancement in port infrastructure” to meet rising cargo demand. DP World Group Chairman & CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem added that innovations like MagRail support the company’s commitment to future-proofing its terminals and reducing reliance on diesel vehicles for short-haul transfers.
The pilot aligns with India’s National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti agenda, marking a major step toward modernizing the country’s logistics ecosystem.