ENA Sectors 2025-11-19 17:29:54 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>New Delhi, Nov 19 (KNN)</strong> Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday announced a major rationalisation of freight rates for bulk cement transported in containers, along with a new policy to develop bulk cement terminals.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Unveiling the reforms at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi, he described the move as a game changer that will help reduce cement prices for poor and middle-class families building homes. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Under the revised framework, the earlier distance and weight slabs have been removed, and freight will now be charged at a flat rate of Rs 0.90 per tonne per kilometre based on the actual Gross Tonne Kilometre of the train.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The Minister emphasised that tank containers will provide an efficient, end-to-end and pollution-free logistics solution for bulk cement. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">These Make in India containers, built to standard 20 ft &times; 8 ft &times; 8.5 ft dimensions, offer a payload capacity of 26 tonnes and allow quick loading and unloading within 25 30 minutes.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">He also highlighted Indias rise as the worlds second-largest freight carrier and the rapid expansion and near-complete electrification of its rail network.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The policy delivers multiple advantages, notably lowering cement transportation costs and cutting carbon emissions far more effectively than road transport, which in turn supports environmental sustainability and eases road congestion. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">It allows large quantities of cement to be transported in a single load, reduces the need for extensive packaging, and minimises material loss due to spillage. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The use of mechanised loading and unloading also shortens turnaround times, improving overall efficiency in cement logistics.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Indian Railways will facilitate the development of dedicated bulk cement terminals near major consumption hubs, outfitted with hoppers, silos, bagging units, and mechanised handling systems to lower costs, enhance efficiency, and streamline cement logistics across the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span></span><br /> </p> 44136 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/indian-railways-unveils-flat-rate-freight-new-terminal-policy-for-bulk-cement-transport 2025-11-19 17:29:54 knnindia.co.in