New Delhi, Jan 10 (IANS): Ministry of Railways' public sector unit, Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR) undertook its maiden coastal journey on Thursday from Kandla Port to Tuticorin Port.

The voyage for the PSU was flagged off by two union ministers, Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal, from here at the Transport Bhawan through remote control.

"The Railways has introduced many new reforms in the last four-and-a-half years. This is another first in the series of reforms," said Railways Minister Piyush Goyal.

Among the reforms, he cited the production of Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches, leading to "replacement of all old coaches" and government's undertaking of electrification of the entire railway network.

"The new indigenous built Train 18, under Make in India initiative, will soon be flagged off on New Delhi-Varanasi route.

"This new service started today by CONCOR will also be very profitable for the freight movement to send goods to different locations in a cost-effective manner and will also reduce the load on railways and road," he added.

Minister of Shipping Nitin Gadkari said: "I'm glad to see this modal shift in the logistics chain."