Indian Railways has approved a single all-India licence for container train operators (CTOs) to improve the ease of doing business in rail freight sector. The move replaces the existing zone-specific licensing framework and is expected to simplify operations, reduce compliance requirements, and encourage greater private sector participation in rail-based container logistics. The decision was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) as part of amendments to the Liberalised Special Freight Train Operator (LSFTO) and Container Train Operator (CTO) policies. Under the revised framework, operators will now be able to obtain a single licence permitting container train operations across the entire Indian Railways network, instead of securing separate permissions for multiple railway zones. A one-time licence fee of ₹25 crore will be applicable for the all-India permit. Existing operators holding licences for individual railway zones will have the flexibility to migrate to the new regime by paying only the differential amount between the fee already paid and the new all-India licence fee. This provision ensures a smooth transition while protecting previous investments made by operators. According to the government, the reform is designed to remove procedural complexities, create a more predictable regulatory environment, and improve operational flexibility for container train companies. A unified licensing system is expected to reduce administrative burdens, eliminate duplication of approvals, and enable operators to expand services seamlessly across different regions. The initiative aligns with the government's broader objective of increasing the modal share of rail in freight transportation. By making rail freight operations more efficient and business-friendly, Indian Railways aims to strengthen multimodal logistics, reduce transportation costs, and improve cargo movement across the country. Industry stakeholders are expected to benefit from faster network expansion, improved asset utilisation, and simplified business planning. The policy is also likely to support logistics parks, inland container depots, ports, and industrial clusters by facilitating uninterrupted rail connectivity across state boundaries. The reforms are in line with the government's vision under the National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti initiative, both of which focus on improving logistics efficiency, lowering supply chain costs, and enhancing India's competitiveness in global trade. By streamlining licensing procedures and encouraging greater private participation, Indian Railways expects the new framework to accelerate containerised cargo movement while contributing to a more integrated and efficient national logistics ecosystem. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!