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Southern Railway's Chennai division has announced the development of a state-of-the-art multi-modal cargo terminal at Arakkonam, poised to become a global hub for multi-modal cargo operations under the Gati Shakti Multi-modal Cargo Terminal Policy 2022. The new terminal is expected to attract an additional 10 lakh tonnes of goods annually, according to an official release.
The new facility, situated on railway land spanning one lakh square meters adjacent to the Arakkonam railway station, will generate local employment and provide an economic boost to Ranipet, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and neighboring districts. The development and operation of the terminal have been contracted to JSW Infrastructure Limited under the vision of the Gati Shakti Multi-modal Cargo Terminal Policy.
JSW Infrastructure Limited will invest approximately Rs 40-50 crores into the project. The terminal will be equipped with two full rake length lines, ample wharf areas for efficient goods handling, approach roads with highway connectivity, service buildings, and other necessary amenities. The company has also been granted exclusive rights to construct additional infrastructure, including warehouses, mechanised loading and unloading facilities, specialised goods handling facilities, and value-added services for all users of the Arakkonam Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal.
The terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistics capabilities in the region, offering seamless integration of various modes of transport. This initiative will streamline cargo operations, reduce transit times, and lower logistics costs, thereby improving the overall efficiency of goods movement.
The establishment of the multi-modal cargo terminal at Arakkonam represents a major step forward in Southern Railway's efforts to modernise and expand its cargo handling infrastructure. This development aligns with the broader goals of the Gati Shakti initiative, aimed at creating world-class multi-modal logistics facilities across India, boosting economic growth, and enhancing the country's global trade competitiveness.
ColdStar Logistics has expanded its temperature-controlled distribution footprint with the launch of three new facilities in Patna, Guwahati and Lucknow, marking another step in the company's efforts to deepen its presence in India's rapidly growing regional markets. The move comes amid rising demand for reliable cold-chain services from sectors such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, dairy, retail and quick commerce. The newly commissioned facilities form part of ColdStar's broader growth strategy aimed at bringing modern logistics infrastructure closer to emerging consumption centres. As businesses increasingly shift their focus beyond metropolitan regions, the need for efficient storage and distribution networks in Tier-II and Tier-III cities has become more critical than ever. With these additions, ColdStar's nationwide network now comprises 45 distribution centres, extending service coverage to more than 109,000 pin codes across the country. The company currently manages over one million square feet of warehousing space and has indicated plans to further expand capacity during the ongoing financial year in response to growing customer demand. Speaking on the development, Sameer Varma, Executive Director of ColdStar Logistics, highlighted the changing dynamics of India's consumption landscape. According to him, companies today require supply-chain infrastructure that is located closer to regional demand centres in order to improve responsiveness, reduce replenishment timelines and maintain product availability. He added that the latest facilities have been developed with a focus on helping customers scale efficiently while ensuring dependable distribution capabilities. Among the three projects, the Guwahati facility has emerged as a strategically significant addition. Located in Kamrup and spread across approximately 20,000 square feet, the warehouse is expected to strengthen distribution networks across the Northeast, serving markets in Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and neighbouring states. The facility is designed to support growing demand from businesses seeking improved access to the region. In Uttar Pradesh, ColdStar has established a 10,500-square-foot warehouse in Unnao, positioned along the Lucknow-Kanpur industrial corridor. The location offers direct access to one of North India's most active consumption and manufacturing belts, enabling faster movement of temperature-sensitive products across the state and adjoining regions. Meanwhile, the company's new facility in Anisabad, Patna, covers around 5,000 square feet and has been developed to enhance distribution efficiency across Bihar. The site benefits from connectivity through the Grand Trunk Road corridor while also leveraging access to the Gaighat river route, creating additional logistics advantages for regional deliveries. The three facilities have been built to cater to a diverse customer base spanning FMCG, processed foods, confectionery, healthcare, dairy products, retail and quick-commerce operations. Each warehouse is equipped with dedicated Ambient, Tropical, Chiller and Frozen storage zones, allowing multiple product categories with different temperature requirements to be managed under a single roof. ColdStar has also integrated the new sites into its technology-enabled operating ecosystem. Through real-time visibility tools, standardized operating procedures and centralized monitoring systems, the company aims to deliver uniform service quality across its entire network while helping customers maintain inventory accuracy and product integrity. Industry observers note that the expansion reflects a broader trend within India's logistics sector, where companies are investing heavily in regional infrastructure to support the next wave of consumption growth. By strengthening its presence in key emerging markets, ColdStar is positioning itself to provide faster, more reliable cold-chain services while addressing inventory challenges and reducing stock-out risks for businesses. The latest rollout further reinforces ColdStar Logistics' commitment to building a resilient and technology-driven temperature-controlled supply-chain network, ensuring that customers in smaller cities receive the same level of service efficiency and operational reliability traditionally associated with major metropolitan centres.
XSIO Logistics Parks, backed by global asset manager Blackstone, has finalized plans to invest upwards of Rs 600 crore to construct a state-of-the-art integrated logistics hub near Indore. The ambitious development comes after the MP Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) formally approved the allotment of 23.33 hectares of land in Machal village. Funded primarily through international foreign investment, the mega-facility is projected to generate more than 4,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities across the state. Commenting on the industrial significance of the allotment, Himanshu Prajapati, Executive Director of MPIDC Indore, emphasized that the project will significantly elevate the Indore-Pithampur corridor’s status among India’s top-tier logistics zones. He noted that the state government is fully committed to providing seamless regulatory support to fast-track execution. Officials expect that the finished hub will effectively service industrial manufacturing plants in Pithampur Sector-7, the Mohana industrial area, and adjacent manufacturing clusters. The new industrial park is designed to synergize with Western Indore's existing freight infrastructure, heavily complementing the ongoing Rs 1,110-crore Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Pithampur as well as CONCOR’s active Inland Container Depot (ICD). Local authorities point out that the convergence of these major hubs will create a highly optimized supply chain network, significantly driving down overall operational and freight costs for regional businesses. This capital injection reflects a broader trend of institutional real estate investment pouring into India's central warehousing corridors to meet rising supply chain demands. By setting up a robust, institutional-grade logistics footprint in Madhya Pradesh, XSIO and Blackstone are positioning the region as a primary distribution node, ensuring it has the capacity and infrastructure to handle high-volume domestic and EXIM cargo movements for years to come. For more such news and updates, visit CARGOCONNECT.
Leasing in the industrial and logistics (I&L) sector reached an all-time high of 39.5 million square feet in CY 2024 across the top eight cities, a remarkable milestone driven by a substantial supply addition of 38.6 million square feet, according to the latest report by CBRE South Asia Pvt Ltd, titled ‘CBRE Industrial & Logistics Figures H2 2024.’ The report emphasises the continued momentum in leasing, with strong activity across various regions. Notably, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Kolkata were the leading contributors, together accounting for almost 60 per cent of the total leasing activity during the year. Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru stood out in terms of supply addition, collectively contributing to over half of the new space in CY 2024. The report identifies third-party logistics (3PL) players as the dominant force in space take-up, with these firms accounting for 41 per cent of the leasing activity. Additionally, engineering and manufacturing companies maintained a strong presence, with an 18 per cent share in the overall space absorption. Interestingly, the space uptake was predominantly driven by smaller transactions, with those under 50,000 square feet representing 43 per cent of the total leasing volume. Medium-sized transactions (ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 square feet) and larger transactions (exceeding 100,000 square feet) each comprised 28 per cent of the total activity. Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO of CBRE for India, Southeast Asia, Middle East & Africa, highlighted the resilience of the I&L sector amidst global economic uncertainties, predicting further growth in 2025. He anticipates that in-city warehousing and the quick-commerce model will play an increasingly significant role, with Delhi-NCR, Kolkata, and Bengaluru expected to lead the absorption trends in the coming year.
