Maruti Suzuki Opens India’s Largest In-Plant Railway Siding at Manesar

In a major step towards sustainable logistics and greener transportation, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has inaugurated India’s largest in-plant automobile railway siding at its Manesar facility in Haryana. Developed with an investment of ₹452 crore, the project is aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and aims to significantly cut carbon emissions and fuel consumption by enhancing rail-based vehicle dispatch.

Why in News?

On June 17, 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the Manesar in-plant railway siding, India’s largest of its kind. The project is a part of Maruti Suzuki’s green logistics strategy to shift 35% of its dispatches to rail by FY2030-31. This is MSIL’s second in-plant railway siding, after Gujarat, showing its growing focus on rail-based automobile logistics.

Project Overview

• Location: Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar Plant, Haryana.
• Investment: ₹452 crore (₹325 crore in JV for corridor + ₹127 crore for yard).
• Execution Agency: Haryana Orbital Rail Corporation Ltd (HORCL) – a JV partner.
• Siding Area: Spread over 46 acres.
• Rail Track Length: 8.2 km (4 full-length rake tracks + 1 engine escape track).
• Capacity: To dispatch 4.5 lakh vehicles annually.

Sustainability & Environmental Impact

• Estimated to reduce 1.75 lakh tonnes of CO₂e emissions per year.
• Will save 60 million litres of fuel annually.
• Aligned with India’s Net Zero Emissions target for 2070.
• Supports PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for integrated infrastructure.

Operational Highlights

• Models from Manesar and Gurugram plants will be transported to 17 logistics hubs across 380 Indian cities.
• Will serve port locations like Mundra and Pipavav for exports.
• First automobile train flagged off from the Manesar siding during the event.

Background and Track Record

• MSIL has dispatched 25 lakh vehicles by rail since FY2014–15.
• Became the first Indian automaker to launch an in-plant railway siding at its Gujarat facility in March 2024.
• The Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC), covering 126 km from Sonipat to Palwal, forms the backbone of this development.

Strategic Goals & Future Plans

• Aim: 35% of vehicle dispatches via rail by FY30–31.
• Focus: Green logistics, reduction in road congestion, cost-effective transportation, and climate resilience.
• The initiative complements India’s broader push to promote multimodal transport networks.