A refrigerated freight service for transporting temperature-sensitive cargo has been introduced between Hyderabad and Mumbai, with the first “Aushadhi Express” departing from the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Sanathnagar. The service is being operated by Container Corporation of India and is designed to move pharmaceutical products and other perishable goods under controlled conditions.
The train was flagged off by officials from South Central Railway, including General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, along with Concor Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Swarup. According to railway authorities, the cargo is being transported in refrigerated containers fitted with diesel-powered units to maintain consistent temperatures during transit.
The service connects Hyderabad, a major pharmaceutical manufacturing centre, with Jawaharlal Nehru Port, one of India’s primary gateways for containerised exports. Officials said the dedicated rake is intended to support the movement of temperature-sensitive cargo along this corridor. The initiative involves collaboration with Maersk, which is supplying refrigerated containers for the service. Railway officials stated that the arrangement is aimed at improving handling capabilities for cold-chain cargo at ICD Sanathnagar.
Demand for temperature-controlled logistics has increased in recent years, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, where products require strict storage and transport conditions. Industry reports have highlighted gaps in cold-chain infrastructure, including limited capacity and high logistics costs.
According to South Central Railway, the dedicated service is expected to reduce transit time and improve supply chain predictability. The project is also positioned within broader efforts to expand rail-based freight movement and improve multimodal logistics connectivity under national infrastructure programmes. The initiative is aligned with the central government’s PM Gati Shakti programme, which aims to promote efficient, sustainable and eco-friendly freight transport systems.
