Maruti Suzuki India Limited has marked a significant sustainability achievement with its Gujarat in-plant railway siding being recognized as the World's First Modal Shift Transportation Project under Verra's Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) program. This initiative highlights the company's efforts to reduce emissions by moving vehicle dispatches from road to rail, a cleaner and more efficient mode of transport.
Over a 10-year period, from FY 2023-24 to FY 2032-33, the project is expected to cut around 1.7 lakh tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions. This reduction has been calculated using the AM0090 methodology under the Clean Development Mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Once independently verified, Verra will issue 1.7 lakh carbon credits to Maruti Suzuki, reinforcing the project's credibility on a global scale.
The shift to rail transport offers multiple advantages beyond environmental benefits. Rail logistics consume less fuel per vehicle transported, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and help ease road congestion. These improvements not only support India's climate goals but also contribute to broader United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Climate Action (SDG 13).
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Operational since March 2023, the Gujarat railway siding has already dispatched over 600,000 vehicles. It was inaugurated in March 2024 under the Government of India's GatiShakti programme, which emphasizes integrated infrastructure planning. Building on this momentum, Maruti Suzuki expanded its rail-based dispatch network with the launch of India's largest automobile in-plant railway siding at its Manesar facility in 2025.
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Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said "This is a proud moment for Maruti Suzuki as our Gujarat in-plant railway siding is recognized as the world's first Verra-registered Modal Shift in Transportation project. By transitioning vehicle movement from road to rail, the project demonstrates how scale, operational efficiency and environmental responsibility can seamlessly go hand in hand. Leveraging the inherent efficiency of rail transport, the Gujarat in-plant railway siding has significantly reduced the carbon footprint of our logistics operations, while also easing road congestion and lowering overall fossil fuel consumption. We are honoured by the recognition from Verra. This milestone marks a significant step forward in our sustainability journey and reinforces our commitment to setting industry benchmarks that align with India's strong steps towards net zero emissions."