In a major leap for high-altitude logistics, the Indian Army’s Gajraj Corps has successfully operationalised an indigenous mono rail system at an elevation of 16,000 feet in the Kameng Himalayas of Arunachal Pradesh. The innovation marks a first-of-its-kind achievement in India, designed to support troops stationed in some of the country’s harshest and most remote terrain.
According to Defence spokesperson Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, the system was fully conceptualised, engineered, and deployed in-house, addressing one of the most persistent challenges in the eastern Himalayas delivering uninterrupted supplies to forward posts that remain cut off due to snow, landslides, vertical cliffs, and severe winter conditions.
A Reliable Lifeline in the Harshest Terrain
The indigenous mono rail system can transport over 300 kg of load in a single run, enabling the movement of mission-critical supplies such as ammunition, rations, fuel, engineering material, and bulky equipment across steep gradients where mules, porters, and even specialised vehicles fail.
Operating day and night, the system can function with or without escort, and remains unaffected by hail, snow, storms, or freezing temperatures, Lt Col Rawat said. Its robust design ensures year-round logistical connectivity to posts with no other mode of access.
Critical for Troops and Casualty Evacuation
Beyond transporting stores, the system has also shown tremendous potential for casualty evacuation. In terrains where helicopters cannot land due to turbulent winds or cloud cover and where foot evacuation is slow and risky the mono rail offers a safe, rapid alternative to move injured personnel to medical aid points.
Indigenous Innovation, Operational Impact
Calling it a “testament to the ingenuity and adaptability” of the Gajraj Corps, Lt Col Rawat emphasised that the mono rail significantly enhances operational readiness and sustainability in isolated high-altitude posts. The initiative also highlights the Army’s commitment to indigenous, mission-focused solutions tailored for India’s extreme border environments.
With this deployment, the Indian Army has set a new benchmark in high-altitude logistics combining innovation, practicality, and resilience to support soldiers guarding the nation’s most challenging frontiers.