Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has unveiled a new policy aimed at rationalising freight charges for bulk cement transportation, saying the initiative will reduce logistics costs and benefit both manufacturers and consumers.

Under the policy, freight for bulk cement movement has been standardised at a flat rate of 90 paise per tonne per kilometre, replacing the earlier system of distance- and weight-based slabs. The Ministry said the simplified structure is expected to make cement transportation more efficient and cost-effective.

The policy also seeks to promote the use of tank containers — a new class of wagons designed for bulk cement — enabling seamless multi-modal movement from production centres to consumption hubs. "This new innovation will support cleaner, more sustainable trans

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