Asansol: Eastern Railway’s Asansol Division has achieved a significant milestone with the commissioning of the Mahashiv Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT).
Constructed by Mahashiv Minerals Private Limited, the work on the terminal was completed on December 5. The state-of-the-art cargo facility became operational on December 13 with the successful placement of the first rake.
The Mahashiv GCT has been developed near Andal on the Andal–Tapsi section. The terminal is equipped with two full-length railway lines, two jetties, and strong connectivity to the national highway network. This infrastructure facilitates seamless rail–road integration and ensures efficient handling of bulk commodities, thereby significantly strengthening the freight transportation system in the region.
The terminal has been designed primarily for the inward movement of coal and iron ore, while plans are in place for the outward transportation of sand, stone, and coal. With an annual handling capacity of approximately 20 to 30 million tonnes, the facility is expected to provide substantial logistical support to industries such as mining, power, steel, construction, and manufacturing. This will enhance freight-handling capacity in the Asansol Division.
The first rake, comprising 58 box wagons loaded with coal from Sonpur Bazari, was placed at the Mahashiv Minerals Private Limited siding on Line No. 2 on December 13 afternoon. Coal unloading was carried out around 5 pm with the help of five poclain machines and four payloaders at the terminal.
Eastern Railway expects that the commissioning of the Mahashiv GCT will improve logistics efficiency, reduce dependence on road transport, cut down freight transit time, and promote environmentally friendly rail-based freight movement.
The project is also expected to generate employment opportunities in Paschim Bardhaman district, encourage industrial investment, and accelerate socio-economic development, further reaffirming Eastern Railway’s commitment to strengthening modern freight infrastructure.