Maruti Suzuki Manesar Rail Siding achieves 1 Lakh vehicle dispatches in just 9 months

Maruti Suzuki India Limited announced that its Manesar in-plant railway siding has dispatched 100,000 vehicles since operations began in June 2025. The company achieved this milestone within nine months, marking a significant step in its shift from road to rail transport. The facility, located in Haryana, is India's largest automobile in-plant railway siding and has helped avoid an estimated 16,800 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions since its launch.

Key Highlights

• Maruti Suzuki Manesar siding dispatched 100000 vehicles in nine months since June 2025
• The facility covers 46 acres and serves 380 cities via 17 distribution hubs
• Over 585000 vehicles dispatched by rail from all Maruti Suzuki facilities in 2025
• Estimated 16800 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided since siding launch
• Maruti Suzuki invested approximately INR 452 crore in the project

Facility Operations and Capacity

The Manesar railway siding covers 46 acres inside Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant. It has processed over 500 rakes and currently serves 380 cities through 17 distribution hubs using a hub-and-spoke model. The siding dispatches models such as the Alto, WagonR, Brezza, Dzire, Ertiga, Celerio, XL6, Eeco, and Super Carry, all manufactured at the Gurugram and Manesar plants.

Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi stated that the siding can handle up to 450,000 units annually at full capacity. In 2025, Maruti Suzuki dispatched over 585,000 vehicles by rail from all its facilities, setting a company record. The company aims to increase the share of rail in outbound logistics from 26% to 35% by FY 2030-31. This marks a major increase from 2016, when rail accounted for only 5% of outbound vehicle movement.

Infrastructure and Investment Details

The Manesar siding is Maruti Suzuki's second PM GatiShakti in-plant terminal, following a similar facility in Gujarat. The siding was inaugurated in June 2025 by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. It is part of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, which aims to improve multimodal connectivity and logistics across India.

The facility was developed as part of the 126-kilometer Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, a dedicated freight rail project from Sonipat to Palwal. Haryana Orbital Rail Corporation Ltd., a joint venture company, is executing the corridor. Maruti Suzuki invested INR 325 crore in corridor development and INR 127 crore in internal yard development, totaling approximately INR 452 crore.

The siding features a fully electrified corridor with four full-length tracks for rakes and one engine escape track. It also includes a two-floor station building, a dedicated pathway for guards and drivers, and an advanced electronic train interlocking system.

Environmental and Industry Impact

Maruti Suzuki was the first automaker in India to obtain an automobile-freight-train-operator license in 2013. Since FY 2014-15, it has transported over 2.95 million vehicles by rail. The company calculates avoided emissions using the Global Logistics Emissions Council framework, version 3.1, developed by the Smart Freight Centre. Maruti Suzuki refined its calculations in 2025 to align with this methodology.

The company’s rail logistics initiative supports its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 13 on climate action. Reducing road transport for vehicle dispatch is also expected to ease highway congestion, especially in northern India, where Maruti Suzuki's manufacturing is concentrated.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki to Invest Rs 10,189 Crore in New Gujarat Plant

Conclusion

Maruti Suzuki’s remarkable rail dispatch achievement at its Manesar plant showcases the automaker’s dedication to sustainable and efficient logistics. This milestone not only strengthens Maruti’s operational capabilities but also contributes to India’s green mobility vision. By prioritizing rail transport, the company continues to reduce carbon emissions and inspire eco-friendly logistics practices across the automotive sector.