Vallarpadam ICTT rail cargo movement increases with outward loading

Rail freight activity at the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in Kochi is gaining momentum after years of underutilization. Since May, at least two rakes have been operating monthly, marking a revival for the 8.86-km rail corridor that had not handled a train for three years prior to this recent activity.

A significant development is the commencement of outward cargo loading. Previously, operations were limited to inward movement, which required containers to be returned empty. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has already utilized this new capability by loading four full rakes of bitumen consignments.

Terminal authorities are also in discussions to establish regular rail movement for car units intended for export, potentially shifting volume from ports in Tamil Nadu to Cochin Port. To improve commercial viability, officials are targeting domestic cargo services to destinations including Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru, aiming to utilize containers that would otherwise return empty.