The Ministry of Railways has issued new policy guidelines for setting up exclusive container rail terminals on Indian Railways' land. Aimed at enhancing container traffic, the guidelines outline access charges, storage fees, and operational frameworks.

An access charge of Rs.80,000 ($9,600) per train will apply for loaded and empty container movements. Storage charges are set at Rs.35 ($0.42) per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) per day, with FEU (forty-foot equivalent unit) charges doubling that rate. Containers remaining at terminals beyond 12 days will incur double the standard storage charges.

The policy eliminates wharfage or ground usage fees and caps free loading and unloading time at nine hours. Additionally, hub-and-spoke operations are allowed with a five-day window for hubbing. Detention and other applicable charges will follow existing railway guidelines.

While the focus is on promoting domestic container traffic, zonal railways can declare terminals open to other types of freight, provided it does not affect container handling operations.

These measures are expected to streamline container operations and support the growth of India’s logistics network.