Indian Railways has commissioned a total of 48 Gati Shakti multi-modal cargo terminals across the country till 30 June this year, including five GCTs at Patratu, Sindri, Godda, Pakur and Thaparnagar in Jharkhand.
The Lok Sabha was informed that in order to boost investment from industry in setting up of cargo terminals, ‘Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)’ policy has been launched, wherein GCTs are being developed by non-railway agencies.
As per the provisions of the GCT policy, private companies can come forward to setup terminals. Gati Shakti cargo terminal operators are expected to complete the construction within twenty-four months from grant of ‘in-principle-approval’.
The GCT policy helps in enhancing the participation of private sector in Indian Railways, thereby generating direct and indirect employment opportunities.
However, the exact employment figures are yet to be determined due to the policy’s potential multiplier effect on job creation and hence the number cannot be ascertained, said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.