JAMMU: The Indian Railways and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) on Monday signed an agreement to develop a PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan multi-modal cargo terminal at Bajalta on the outskirts of Jammu city, aimed at boosting freight movement and strengthening the region's energy supply chain.
The agreement was signed by Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal on behalf of the Jammu Division and Territory Manager (Retail) Jammu Chandan Chauhan representing BPCL.
According to officials, the upcoming terminal will streamline logistics for petroleum products and ensure smoother and more reliable supply across the region. The facility, developed under the Centre's Gati Shakti initiative, is expected to significantly enhance coordination between the Railways and public sector undertakings in facilitating trade and infrastructure growth.
With a storage capacity of 109,225 kilolitres, the terminal will handle two rakes per day, enabling a monthly supply of nearly 162,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products. Equipped with modern tank wagons, the terminal is expected to become operational by the end of this month.
Officials said the project will help ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to strategically important areas in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Speaking on the occasion, Singhal said the terminal will help reduce tanker movement on Jammu's roads, easing traffic congestion. He added that shifting freight movement from road to rail will reduce carbon emissions, lower logistics costs, enhance safety standards, and generate employment opportunities.
The terminal, featuring advanced automation and integrated rail-road connectivity, is expected to emerge as a key logistics hub for the region in the coming years.