DP World, one of India’s largest private rail freight operators, has launched two new domestic rail services connecting Bhimasar and Hazira in Gujarat to Kolkata in West Bengal. The services are aimed at accelerating cargo movement between India’s western manufacturing hubs and key eastern trade centers, supporting the Make in India initiative and the government’s PM Gati Shakti programme.
The Bhimasar–Kolkata service will operate twice a month, offering a transit time of 8 days and a capacity of 90 TEUs. The Hazira–Kolkata route will also run twice monthly, with a slightly faster 7-day transit time and the same capacity. These services will primarily handle cargo such as edible oils, chemicals, steel, industrial goods, food grains, and salt on the eastbound corridor.
Gujarat is a cornerstone of India’s manufacturing landscape, home to 182 industrial estates , 21 Special Economic Zones, over 800 large industries, and more than 450,000 MSMEs. The state is a major player in sectors including chemicals, petrochemicals, dairy, cement, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, gems & jewellery, textiles, and engineering.
Kolkata, on the other hand, plays a pivotal role in international trade, particularly in exports related to leather, textiles, and tea, and serves as a key logistics gateway to East and Northeast India.
“These new services bridge two vital economic corridors—Gujarat’s dynamic manufacturing base and Kolkata’s strategic role as a trade gateway,” said Adhendru Jain, Vice President – Rail and Inland Terminals, DP World Subcontinent. “By enhancing connectivity between production and consumption markets, we’re enabling smoother movement of goods and building more agile and integrated supply chains.”
Jain further added, “As India drives its logistics transformation, DP World remains committed to building future-ready infrastructure that enhances competitiveness, drives regional growth, and strengthens supply chain resilience.”
These developments are part of DP World’s ongoing investment of ₹1,800 crore ($207 million) in expanding its rail freight capabilities in India. The company operates a robust rail network powered by more than 100 owned container rakes and over 16,000 containers and trailers, offering faster, cleaner, and more dependable cargo solutions.
DP World’s container terminal at Mundra is already a key node in facilitating Gujarat’s global trade connectivity. The upcoming 2.19 million TEU terminal at Tuna Tekra will further bolster multimodal logistics capabilities across the region.
The company’s integrated logistics ecosystem spans seven inland terminals, a 15,000-pincode express cargo network, over 5 million sq. ft. of warehousing space, three Free Trade Warehousing Zones (FTWZs), and comprehensive freight forwarding solutions—ensuring seamless cargo movement across ports, rail, air, and hinterland markets.
