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.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Maruti Suzuki Manesar In-Plant Railway Siding
Investment	₹452 crore
Developed by	MSIL + Haryana Orbital Rail Corporation Ltd (HORCL)
Rail Corridor	126 km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC)
Total Track Length	8.2 km
Annual Dispatch Capacity	4.5 lakh vehicles
Sustainability Impact Avoids	1.75 lakh tonnes of CO₂, saves 60 million litres of fuel annually
Future Dispatch Target	35% by FY2030–31 via rail