FIRST RAIL AUTO HUB INAUGURATING TODAY : RAIL BUDGET 2016

As announced in Rail budget 2016 - 2017, Railway Minster Suresh Prabhu will inaugurate the first common user originating Rail Auto - Hub at Walajabad near Chennai at 15.30 hrs on 01.03.2016 i.e today  through video conferencing from Rail Bhavan , New Delhi.

Fist Auto - Hub in Chennai

Walajabad station is being developed as the first common user originating rail Auto - Hub on Indian Railways. Located in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. The station is located conveniently at 12 - 40 kilometres away from the major Auto Hubs of Oragadam, Sriperumpudur and Singaperumal Kovil areas housing the manufacturing facilities of Nissan, Hyundai, Ford, Dairnler, Chrysler and others. 

This hub would cater to the over 1 million units of 4 wheeler being produced per annum in these areas. Also, Walajabad Auto Hub would act as an ideal distribution center for the inward traffic of TATA, Honda etc. converging for distribution into Tamil Nadu and adjoing states, including Puducherry.

With an initial holding capacity of over 300 , 4 - wheeler , this rail hub has seamless road connectivity of 4/6 lanes to the production and consumption centers. Adequate lighting and fencing for security are also on the anvil.

Phase I - of the Hub would be ready to handle the first Auto - Carrying train during this month itself. 

Phase -II including the CC-pavement of over 5000 sq.m is attending stage and is due for completion in next four months.

While hinterland traffic is the prime segment, Southern Railway intend to capture the considerable export market on offer from the ports of Chennai and Egmore , through competitive pricing.

Major Automobile Industries located in Chennai are: - 

• Hyundai Motor India Ltd. - Production capacity per annum - 6 lakh units
• Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd. - Production capacity per annum -  2 lakh units (to be increased to 4 lakhs in second phase and 8 lakhs in final phase)
• Ford India Private Ltd. - Production capacity per annum - 1.05 lakh units
• Daimler(trucks) - Production capacity per annum - 15000 units

Posted in: Indian Railway