Trade and commerce bodies in and around Mysuru are being persuaded to shift industrial transportation mode from road to rail.
| Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM
In an initiative aimed to bolster rail-based logistics, the Mysuru division of South Western Railway held a focused stakeholder meeting with the Mysuru Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to explore avenues for enhancing freight and parcel traffic in the region.
The interaction projected Indian Railways as a cost-effective, scalable, and eco-friendly logistics partner to woo industries in and around Mysuru in a bid to divert freight from road to rail.
The meeting, held recently, was chaired by Mudit Mittal, Divisional Railway Manager, and attended by senior railway officials. The MCCI was represented by its president K.B. Lingaraju, vice president R. Anand, and also involved representatives from the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR).
In addition, traders from Chamarajanagar, Nanjangud, Mandya, and officials from prominent industries such as Jubilant Pharmova, Triveni Gears, Small Scale Industries Association, Hotel Association, and the APMC Association were part of the stakeholders meeting.
Railway officials highlighted the distinct advantages of rail logistics and pointed out that it entailed a 33% cost saving on freight transport compared to road transport.
In addition, it was stated to be faster with more predictable transit times of 36 to 72 hours, besides significant reduction in carbon emissions. The carbon emission was reckoned to be 60% lower than road-based alternatives.
The authorities pointed out that the Mysuru division, with its 1,132 km of rail network and geographical proximity to major cities like Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and Coimbatore, was increasingly being recognised as a strategic logistics hub in southern India.
Girish Dharmaraj Kalagonda, Divisional Commercial Manager, said that railways offered a wide array of freight solutions ranging from bulk transport using BOXN/BCN wagons and private sidings, to SME-oriented services like SLR/VPH leasing, PCET (Parcel Cargo Express Trains), e-commerce parcel movement, and container transport with customs clearance facilities at ICD Kadakola, near Nanjangud.
It was pointed out that the Mysuru division had already achieved significant traction in sectors such as cement, fertilisers, food grains, sugar, and automobiles, with iron ore alone contributing over ₹750 crore in annual freight revenue.
To address local logistical constraints, stakeholders also raised suggestions on infrastructure enhancements such as additional loading/unloading points, better road connectivity to rail terminals, and awareness sessions for SMEs on available schemes. The railway officials assured responsiveness to industry needs and promised to evaluate feasibility of proposed measures.
The trade bodies which welcomed the initiative of the Railways, evinced interest in building long-term partnership. Chamber members also welcomed the proactive engagement and shared a strong interest in building long-term partnerships with the Railways. The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement on coordinated efforts and joint outreach to encourage a modal shift to rail logistics for sustainable and efficient cargo movement.
Published – July 20, 2025 06:41 pm IST
