Ashwini Vaishnaw Unveils ‘Game Changer’ Cement Freight Policy; Flat Rate to Boost Affordable Housing

New Delhi, Nov 18: The Ministry of Railways has announced a major reform in cement transportation, unveiling a rationalized freight policy aimed at reducing costs for middle and poor families building homes.

Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw described the initiative as a “game changer” while launching the policy at Rail Bhawan. Under the new system, freight for bulk cement in containers will be charged at a flat rate of ₹0.90 per tonne per kilometre, eliminating earlier distance and weight slabs.

The policy introduces tank containers as a pollution-free, end-to-end logistics solution. These containers, designed under Make in India, measure 20 ft × 8 ft × 8.5 ft, carry up to 26 tonnes, and allow loading/unloading within 25–30 minutes. Their multimodal design enables smooth transfer between trains and trailers, ensuring faster delivery from production plants to consumption centers.

Indian Railways will also facilitate the development of bulk cement terminals across the country. Equipped with silos, hoppers, and bagging plants, these terminals will connect directly to the rail network, supporting efficient handling, storage, and distribution.

 Benefits at a Glance

• Lower cement transportation costs
• Reduced carbon footprint compared to road transport
• Faster turnaround with mechanized loading/unloading
• Minimized packaging needs and spillage losses
• Support for affordable housing and sustainable infrastructure

Vaishnaw highlighted India’s rapid rail expansion, noting that the network now grows at 12–14 km per day, compared to 4 km a decade ago, and is nearly 100% electrified. He added that more than 1,300 Amrit Stations are under development nationwide.