Aushadhi Express Connects Hyderabad Pharma to Mumbai
Flagged off from Sanathnagar Inland Container Depot under CONCOR, the reefer‑equipped train is projected as a major logistical boost for Telangana’s pharma clusters and the national medicines‑supply chain.
Hyderabad:Union minister G. Kishan Reddy has hailed the launch of ‘Aushadhi Express’, India’s first dedicated pharmacy‑cum‑refrigerated freight train, connecting Hyderabad, the “Pharma Capital of India”, with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Mumbai.
Flagged off from Sanathnagar Inland Container Depot under CONCOR, the reefer‑equipped train is projected as a major logistical boost for Telangana’s pharma clusters and the national medicines‑supply chain.
Calling it a “pivotal step” in the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Kishan Reddy said the service reflects the Modi government’s ₹100 lakh crore commitment to integrated, multimodal infrastructure. The initiative aims to provide cheap, reliable, environment‑friendly freight movement while strengthening India’s global pharma logistics.
Hyderabad’s dense network of pharmaceutical hubs — Genome Valley, Jeedimetla, Patancheru, Mucherla and others—accounts for a large share of India’s medicines production. Linking these clusters to JNPT, the train will ensure temperature‑sensitive drugs, vaccines and critical pharma products reach markets and ports on time, without compromising quality.
Each container is fitted with diesel‑powered refrigeration packs to maintain cold‑chain integrity throughout the Hyderabad–Mumbai journey. The Minister said this will enhance India’s cold‑chain connectivity and boost export‑oriented consignments.
Currently operating weekly, the service may be scaled to twice a week depending on industry demand. The dedicated reefer rake is expected to cut logistics costs, reduce transit time and minimise damage to high‑value shipments.
Kishan Reddy credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for allocating the first regular pharma‑dedicated train to Telangana, calling it a “direct outcome” of the PM‑led focus on innovation‑based solutions and modern infrastructure.
