14 October,2026 08:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Central Railway said the mechanised system is expected to improve the speed and safety of parcel handling while reducing manual movement. File Pic
Central Railway has initiated the tendering process for a new mechanised parcel and luggage handling service at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Wadi Bunder to improve efficiency and reduce damage to consignments.
The proposed service will replace manual handling with a mechanised system supported by battery-operated platform trucks. The initiative aims to speed up the loading and unloading of railway-booked parcels and luggage, reduce congestion in parcel areas and improve operational efficiency at the three locations.
Under the proposed contract, the selected licensee will use battery-operated platform trucks, along with manual labour, for handling and transhipment activities at the stations and yards. The service will cover parcels and luggage booked through railway receipts and luggage tickets, excluding leased consignments.
The licensee will be responsible for sorting, weighing, marking, stacking and positioning outgoing parcels for loading.
For incoming parcels, the responsibilities will include unloading, weighing, safeguarding, transporting consignments to godowns and arranging delivery.
The contract will also require the service provider to ensure that parcels are protected from exposure to sunlight, rain and other potential sources of damage.
Central Railway said the mechanised system is expected to improve the speed and safety of parcel handling while reducing manual movement and congestion on platforms and in parcel areas.
Timely loading and unloading could also help reduce detention at terminal stations and support train punctuality. The use of battery-operated vehicles is intended to make the movement of parcels and luggage more organised and efficient.
The selected service provider will be required to deploy qualified drivers with valid licences to operate four-wheeled vehicles for handling and transhipment work.
Meanwhile, Central Railway said that it reported a strong performance in parcel transportation during the Financial Year 2025-26.
Up to November 2025, the zone earned Rs 183.80 crore from parcel and luggage services, registering a growth of more than 37 per cent compared to the same period last year, Central Railway said.
In the previous financial year, Central Railway earned Rs. 133.70 crore, showing a significant rise in revenue due to focused marketing efforts and innovative transport initiatives.
