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Indian Railways' New Freight Policy: 8 Reforms to Cut Logistics Costs and Promote Container Transport
The Railways has announced eight new reforms under the 'Reform Express' initiative to make freight transport faster, cheaper, and more eco-friendly.
Railways is making an effort to make freight transportation quick, cost-effective, efficient and conducive for business. The core of the initiative revolves around containerized transport of goods. Goods such as fly ash, fertilizers, food grains, flour and pulses can now be transported via containers. It ensures that the goods are protected against the elements such as rain and dust.
Unloading of goods at different locations can take place as per requirement. Previously, the entire rake used to wait until it was entirely unloaded; however, unloading of rakes can happen much earlier with the help of the containerized method. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced eight new reforms on Tuesday, increasing the number of reforms through the "Reform Express" program to 17. The government aims to introduce 52 reforms in 52 weeks.
The objective of these reforms is to shift freight transport from road to rail. Rail freight transport generates approximately 90 percent less carbon emission compared to road transport. The container-based system will ensure greater safety for goods, accelerate transportation, and help reduce the country's logistics costs.
