INDIA: Delhi Metro Rail Corp launched an experimental freight service on the Airport Express Line on March 1, making use of the secure luggage van on AEL trains to carry non-perishable and e-commerce goods.
DMRC said this is the first time an Indian metro has been used for freight transport. The 24 min journey time between the New Delhi and IGI Airport stations would be faster than by road, and the project could help to improve air quality by reducing the number of vehicles on the roads.
The trial is to be undertaken in partnership with a specialist freight forwarding agency and will run for three months. It aims to assess the potential freight volumes on the route, ahead of a possible tender for the provision of a longer-term service.
