Maruti Suzuki India Limited has expanded its rail-based vehicle transportation network in southern India with the arrival of its first automobile rake at the Pollachi Railway Terminal in Tamil Nadu. The company has become the first passenger vehicle manufacturer to dispatch vehicles by rail to the newly operationalised terminal.
The rake, carrying 120 vehicles, including Wagon R, Ertiga, Dzire and Celerio models, was flagged off from Maruti Suzuki’s in-plant railway siding at Manesar on August 18, 2026. The vehicles subsequently reached Pollachi, adding another rail destination to the company’s logistics network in southern India.
Maruti Suzuki worked with Indian Railways to operationalise Pollachi Railway Terminal for vehicle dispatches. The new terminal will strengthen the company’s ability to transport vehicles to customers and dealerships across southern markets, including Kerala.
The timing of the first dispatch is particularly significant as it comes ahead of the Onam festival season in Kerala, when demand for passenger vehicles typically increases. The new rail route will provide an additional transportation option for meeting regional customer requirements.
The Pollachi terminal is expected to support nearly 70 automobile rakes each year. This could enable the movement of more than 11,000 additional vehicles annually by rail to the region. Maruti Suzuki began using railways for vehicle transportation in FY2014-15 as part of its efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, lower fuel consumption and ease road congestion. Since then, the company has steadily increased the share of rail in its outbound vehicle dispatches.
Rail accounted for 5% of Maruti Suzuki’s outbound vehicle transportation in FY2014-15. The share increased to 26.5% in FY2025-26. The company has cumulatively transported more than 32 lakh vehicles by rail to date. Maruti Suzuki has set a target of increasing the share of rail-based vehicle dispatches to 35% by FY2030-31. The company expects greater use of railways to support its green logistics efforts while improving transportation efficiency.
The Pollachi Railway Terminal was redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the redeveloped terminal through video conferencing in March 2026. The railway junction is among 20 stations renovated under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Tamil Nadu. The redevelopment has focused on improving passenger facilities, station infrastructure and access for freight operations. The addition of Pollachi to Maruti Suzuki’s rail logistics network gives the company another connection for moving vehicles into southern markets. Along with Coimbatore, the terminal expands the company’s rail-based distribution footprint in the region.
Maruti Suzuki’s increased use of rail transportation forms part of its broader approach to reducing the environmental impact of vehicle logistics. Rail movement can transport large volumes of vehicles in a single rake, reducing dependence on road transportation and helping lower fuel use and emissions. With the first 120-vehicle rake reaching Pollachi, Maruti Suzuki has further expanded its use of India’s railway network for vehicle distribution and strengthened its logistics capabilities ahead of the upcoming festive season.
