Konkan Railway Inaugurates First Polypropylene Container Rake from Thokur Station
In a significant move to diversify its freight portfolio and bolster multimodal logistics, Konkan Railway officially launched its first container rake dedicated to polypropylene transport from Thokur station on Thursday. This milestone marks the beginning of a new era for containerised traffic on the Konkan Railway network, setting the stage for enhanced cargo operations.
Infrastructure Development and Strategic Partnerships
To support this initiative and other freight activities, Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) collaborated with the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) to develop advanced infrastructure at Thokur station. The newly established facilities feature:
- A paved wharf with efficient approach roads
- Covered warehouses for secure storage
- Open stackyards for flexible cargo handling
- Modern logistics amenities to streamline operations
These enhancements transform Thokur into a fully-equipped freight handling terminal, capable of managing diverse cargo needs with state-of-the-art efficiency.
Polypropylene Transport Details and Operational Framework
The polypropylene being transported originates from Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL). Under the new arrangement, MRPL is expected to provide approximately two container rakes per month for shipment to the Morbi region in Gujarat. The Central Warehousing Corporation will oversee the handling of this traffic using its own container rakes.
To formalise this transportation setup, CWC and MRPL entered into a binding agreement, ensuring smooth operationalisation of the service. The inaugural rake, consisting of 24 containers, was flagged off by a distinguished group of officials, including:
- Mundkur Shyamprasad Kamath, Managing Director of MRPL
- Santosh Sinha, Managing Director of CWC
- Sunil Gupta, Director (Commercial & Operations) of KRCL
- Nandakumar Velayudhan Pillai, Director (Refinery) of MRPL
- Devendra Kumar, Director (Finance) of MRPL
- Niraj Priyadarshi, Director (Finance) of CWC
- Deepak Prabhakar P, ED (Marketing & Business Development) of MRPL
- Samuel Praveen Kumar, Director (Marketing & Corporate Planning) of CWC
- BHV Prasad, ED Projects of MRPL
- Ashutosh Srivastava, CCMI of KRCL
Future Implications and Regional Impact
The launch of this polypropylene container service is anticipated to catalyse further utilisation of Thokur station's upgraded facilities by other clients. By offering robust storage and transportation solutions, the station is poised to become a key logistics hub for goods moving to and from the region. This development not only strengthens Konkan Railway's freight capabilities but also contributes to the broader economic growth of the area through improved supply chain efficiency.
This strategic expansion aligns with national efforts to enhance multimodal logistics infrastructure, supporting smoother cargo movement and fostering regional trade connectivity.
