Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal – Manesar (2025)
Inaugurated by: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Location: Manesar, Haryana
Key Feature: India’s largest multimodal Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal (GCT)
Partner: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd
Project under: PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan for Multimodal Connectivity
UPSC-Relevant Themes
| Theme | UPSC Paper & Topic |
|---|---|
| Multimodal logistics | GS Paper 3 – Infrastructure, Economy |
| PM Gati Shakti plan | GS Paper 2 – Government schemes, GS3 – Economy |
| Public-Private Partnership (PPP) | GS Paper 2 – Governance, GS3 – Investment models |
| Sustainable transport & environment | GS Paper 3 – Environment & sustainable development |
| Industrial corridors | GS Paper 1/3 – Economic geography, Infrastructure |
Authentic Previous Year UPSC Questions Mains Questions
- UPSC CSE Mains 2022 – GS Paper 3 Q: “PM Gati Shakti scheme aims to transform infrastructure and logistics in India. Critically examine the potential and challenges of this initiative.” ✅ Relevance: The Manesar GCT is a direct implementation of this scheme. Understanding how multimodal integration works in practice strengthens answer quality.
UPSC CSE Mains 2020 – GS Paper 3 Q: “Explain the meaning of investment models. Discuss the importance of PPP in the context of infrastructure development in India.” ✅ Relevance: The Manesar terminal is a clear example of the PPP model – Maruti Suzuki and Indian Railways partnered, showcasing cost-sharing and infrastructure modernization.
- UPSC CSE Mains 2016 – GS Paper 3 Q: “What are the reasons for poor industrial growth in India? Examine the role of infrastructure in industrial development.” ✅ Relevance: The Manesar GCT enhances industrial logistics and connectivity to over 380 cities – directly linked to industrial performance.
Prelims Questions
While there hasn’t been a direct Prelims question on Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals, the following question is closely aligned:
UPSC Prelims 2022:
Q: “With reference to ‘PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan’, consider the following statements:
- It is a digital platform to bring 16 Ministries together for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects.
- It is aimed at reducing logistics costs and improving infrastructure efficiency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2✅ ANS: C. Both 1 and 2
✔️ Relevance: The Manesar GCT is a practical implementation of Gati Shakti’s objectives — reducing freight time, cost, and improving multimodal logistics efficiency.
Summary for UPSC Prep
| Dimension | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Largest GCT under PM Gati Shakti, boosts connectivity |
| Economy | Logistics cost saving, ₹800 cr investment |
| Governance | PPP model, integration of Railways with auto sector |
| Sustainability | 1.75 lakh tonnes of CO₂ saved, reduction in fossil fuel usage |
| Policy Implementation | Real-world example of Gati Shakti in action |