Maruti Suzuki Gujarat Rail Siding Earns World's First Modal Shift Carbon Credit Registration

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has announced that its Gujarat in-plant railway siding at Hansalpur has been registered as the world's first Modal Shift Transportation Project under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) program of Verra, the world's largest voluntary carbon credit registry, by shifting vehicle dispatches from road to rail to reduce approximately 1.7 lakh tonnes of CO₂e emissions over a ten-year crediting period from FY 2023-24 to FY 2032-33.

The carbon emission reductions have been quantified under the AM0090 methodology prescribed by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Following independent verification, Verra will issue 1.7 lakh carbon credits to the company under its VCS program.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and 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."

The Gujarat siding has cumulatively dispatched more than 6 lakh vehicles since commencing operations in March 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it as India's first automobile in-plant railway siding in March 2024 under the GatiShakti programme.

A second, larger facility at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant in Haryana, described as India's largest automobile in-plant railway siding was inaugurated in June 2025 by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

The project aligns with three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Climate Action (SDG 13).