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Indian Railways Eyes New Cargo Beyond Coal, Cement
16 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Indian Railways urged to expand freight beyond traditional commodities.
- Focus on attracting private investment for future freight corridors.
- Need to ensure adequate crew availability for new freight networks.
Indian Railways is being encouraged to diversify its freight earnings beyond traditional commodities such as coal, iron ore, and cement. The Standing Committee on Railways highlighted the necessity of broadening the commodity basket for sustained growth and resilience.
To facilitate the development of future dedicated freight corridors, the committee stressed the importance of securing private sector investment. This would involve offering attractive and commercially viable terms to investors. Additionally, measures to ensure sufficient crew availability for the smooth operation of trains on the DFC network are essential.
The committee also pointed to the need for timely wagon availability. It noted that schemes exist for private entities to invest in wagons, and increased participation can significantly improve timely goods movement. Promoting private investment in wagons through freight charge rebates was also recommended.
