Arshiya Rail Infrastructure Ltd has commenced a container train service from North India to Kochi port.
The first container train with 90 twenty-foot containers reached the Ernakulam Wharf of Cochin Port Trust on Tuesday with a consignment of white cement for distribution in various parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The consignment, which originated from Jodhpur, arrived at Kochi at 2 a.m.
To start with, the train service will be initially bi-weekly.
The train service is expected to facilitate movement of goods from North India at much cheaper rates than by road.
import containers
Later, the return leg is likely to carry import containers coming through Vallarpadam ICTT.
The service opens up connectivity between the inland container depots in North India and the ICTT.
In addition, it is also possible to move consignments such as raw-rubber from Kerala to North India at competitive rates through the rail service, according to a press release here.