The Indian Railways has unveiled a new door-to-door parcel delivery service connecting Mumbai and Kolkata, marking a significant step toward modernizing India’s logistics network. This initiative promises faster, cheaper, and more convenient parcel transport, bridging the gap between traditional freight and last-mile delivery. Designed for businesses and individuals alike, the service combines efficiency, affordability, and accessibility in one seamless system.
A Smarter Way to Send Parcels
With this new offering, Indian Railways aims to make parcel transportation as easy as sending a courier. The service covers every stage of delivery — from first-mile pickup at the sender’s location to train transportation across cities and last-mile delivery to the recipient’s doorstep. Earlier, customers had to handle separate arrangements for pickup and drop-off, but now, Indian Railways manages the entire journey through its logistics partners.
The initiative is currently operational on the Mumbai–Kolkata route and is expected to expand to other major city pairs soon. It also integrates digital support through the CONCOR e-Logistics app, allowing users to book shipments, track deliveries, and select between flexible options such as door-to-door, door-to-terminal, or terminal-to-door delivery.
Faster, Cheaper, and More Reliable
The new model brings a major improvement in delivery efficiency. According to railway officials, the transit time on the Mumbai–Kolkata corridor has been reduced by nearly 30 percent, making it significantly faster than conventional road transport. Cost efficiency is another highlight, with shipping rates lowered by approximately 7.5 percent compared to other modes of logistics.
Beyond cost and speed, the service offers greater reliability. Parcel movement via train ensures safer handling and predictable schedules. The initiative also supports smaller shipments — a big shift from the earlier system that primarily served bulk freight. This makes Indian Railways an attractive option for small business owners, online sellers, and even individual senders who need quick and affordable delivery solutions.
Opening Doors for Businesses and Startups
Several major companies, including Nestlé, Godrej & Boyce, VIP Industries, and Castrol, have already begun using the new service for regular cargo movement. However, it’s not limited to large enterprises. The Indian Railways aims to attract small and medium businesses and e-commerce sellers who can now ship smaller parcels directly via train.
For instance, a small handicraft seller in Mumbai can send goods to a customer in Kolkata without worrying about arranging transport or warehousing. Everything — from pickup to delivery — is handled under one system, helping businesses save both time and money. The service also opens new opportunities for logistics startups and courier aggregators to collaborate with the Railways.
Driving India’s Logistics Revolution
The door-to-door service is part of the broader Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals initiative, which aims to build integrated logistics hubs across India. The first of these hubs — the Sonik Integrated Logistics Hub near Lucknow — will soon offer warehousing, container handling, and packaging services. These hubs will strengthen India’s supply chain infrastructure and help decongest road transport networks.
This new model marks the beginning of a logistics transformation led by Indian Railways. By combining rail efficiency with doorstep delivery, it promises to make goods movement smoother, faster, and more affordable. As the service expands beyond Mumbai and Kolkata, it could redefine how India ships parcels — from local businesses to individual households.
In simple words, the Railways is turning its powerful trains into rolling delivery networks. It’s like sending a gift from your home in Mumbai and having it reach your friend’s doorstep in Kolkata — safely, quickly, and without any hassle.