Ritco Logistics has successfully launched its first food grain rake from Kolkata to Silchar, marking a significant step in improving the logistics of transporting essential commodities across northeastern India. The project is a collaborative effort involving Eastern Railway, Kolkata Port Trust, and the Assam government.
This service, which aims to offer cost-effective and safer transportation, will help traders and consumers access food grains at lower prices compared to road transport. Additionally, it reduces the risk of road accidents and potential damage to goods during transit. In a statement, Uday Shankar Jha, PCCM at Eastern Railways, highlighted the advantages of rail transport, explaining that this initiative introduces new commodities to the rail network, thus facilitating model shifting. “This will help traders and consumers at large to receive consignments at a lower price compared to roadways. Also, it will avoid accidents on roads and reduce the risks of damage,” said Jha.
The shipment will involve 1350 metric tons of red lentils and yellow peas, imported by ETG Agro from the EJC Yard of the Kolkata Dock System via the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMPK). The goods will be transported using a mini rake of 21 wagons. Surya Narayan Singh, Vice President of the Multimodal Division at Ritco Logistics, expressed the company’s commitment to ensuring that food grains reach the citizens of northeastern India at the best possible prices and facilities. He also extended gratitude to the key partners for their support in realizing this landmark initiative.
Ritco Logistics has taken on the role of an aggregator and facilitator in this venture, aimed at helping traders and importers benefit from low railway freight rates for food grains. Typically, sending fewer wagons than the required minimum would force traders to opt for more expensive road transport. To overcome this, Ritco combines wagons from different traders, creating a mini or full rake, which is then dispatched to its destination. This innovative service provides greater flexibility for traders who may not need full wagons, ensuring they still get access to more affordable rail transport for their consignments. The first shipment represents a crucial milestone in connecting the region with better logistics solutions for essential goods.