Ministry of Coal Pushes for Sustainable Coal Logistics via RSR Mode

23 Apr 2025 CW Team

Secretary of the Ministry, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, in his keynote address, described the RSR model as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative that aligns with India’s broader goals of energy security and logistics modernisation. The RSR approach—combining rail and coastal shipping—is seen as particularly strategic for serving coal demand in Southern and Western India, offering a lower carbon footprint and improved transport resilience.

Shri Dutt stressed the need for inter-ministerial coordination, especially among the Ministries of Railways, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Power, along with state governments, Gencos, coal producers, and port authorities, to streamline infrastructure and eliminate operational bottlenecks.

The consultation included participation from stakeholders such as Coal India Limited (CIL), commercial miners, port operators, and various government agencies. Discussions covered critical areas including:

Enhancing intermodal connectivity
Mechanisation of coal handling at ports
Improving rake availability
Rationalising port charges

With the aim of transporting 120 million tonnes (MT) of coal via RSR by FY 2030, and 65 MT by FY 2026, the Ministry is counting on strategic policy and infrastructure interventions. Key among these are:

Telescopic Freight Circular from the Ministry of Railways offering freight cost savings
The upcoming Rail Sagar Corridor to strengthen mine-port connectivity

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will contribute by optimising shipping costs and developing dedicated coal berths, while the Railways will ensure rake availability and robust connectivity.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inter-agency collaboration, supporting infrastructure investment, and providing policy support to unlock the full potential of RSR—paving the way for a more sustainable and secure energy future for India.

(PIB)

In a move to enhance efficiency and sustainability in coal transportation, the Ministry of Coal hosted a stakeholder consultation on “Exploring the Opportunities for Sustainable Coal Transportation through the Rail-Sea-Rail (RSR) Mode” in New Delhi. The event brought together key players in the coal logistics chain to build consensus on advancing multimodal transport solutions.Secretary of the Ministry, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, in his keynote address, described the RSR model as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative that aligns with India’s broader goals of energy security and logistics modernisation. The RSR approach—combining rail and coastal shipping—is seen as particularly strategic for serving coal demand in Southern and Western India, offering a lower carbon footprint and improved transport resilience.Shri Dutt stressed the need for inter-ministerial coordination, especially among the Ministries of Railways, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Power, along with state governments, Gencos, coal producers, and port authorities, to streamline infrastructure and eliminate operational bottlenecks.The consultation included participation from stakeholders such as Coal India Limited (CIL), commercial miners, port operators, and various government agencies. Discussions covered critical areas including:Enhancing intermodal connectivityMechanisation of coal handling at portsImproving rake availabilityRationalising port chargesWith the aim of transporting 120 million tonnes (MT) of coal via RSR by FY 2030, and 65 MT by FY 2026, the Ministry is counting on strategic policy and infrastructure interventions. Key among these are:Telescopic Freight Circular from the Ministry of Railways offering freight cost savingsThe upcoming Rail Sagar Corridor to strengthen mine-port connectivityThe Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will contribute by optimising shipping costs and developing dedicated coal berths, while the Railways will ensure rake availability and robust connectivity.The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inter-agency collaboration, supporting infrastructure investment, and providing policy support to unlock the full potential of RSR—paving the way for a more sustainable and secure energy future for India. (PIB)

Real Estate

03 Apr 2026

Loomcraft Enters South India with Kerala Store Launch

Loomcraft has launched its exclusive store in Kerala, marking its entry into South India and a key step in its nationwide expansion strategy. The move targets a region driven by tourism and premium real estate demand, where outdoor spaces play a central role in hospitality and residential experiences.Kerala’s growing base of luxury resorts, boutique hotels, villas and gated communities has created strong demand for specialised outdoor furniture. However, the region has remained underserved, with buyers relying on imports or generic products not suited to humid, coastal and monsoon-heavy cond..

Building Material

03 Apr 2026

Mild Steel Prices Seen Rising to Rs 61,000 Per Tonne

Mild steel prices in India, currently around Rs 58,000 per tonne, are expected to rise to nearly Rs 61,000 per tonne in April, indicating an increase of about Rs 3,000 per tonne. The anticipated rise reflects structural pressures driven by geopolitical tensions, energy constraints and limited raw material availability.Ongoing global conflict has disrupted energy markets, leading to LNG shortages that are affecting domestic steel production. Small and mid-sized manufacturers, particularly those dependent on gas-based processes, are witnessing production cuts due to constrained energy supply, re..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Mar 2026

Vedanta Expands Transgender Workforce to 75 Employees

Vedanta has strengthened its commitment to workplace inclusion by employing 75 transgender individuals across its businesses, including Vedanta Aluminium, Hindustan Zinc, Sesa Goa, FACOR and Cairn Oil & Gas. The initiative reflects sustained hiring efforts since 2022 to build equitable opportunities across operations, corporate and technical roles.Transgender employees are engaged in functions such as operations, finance, logistics, HR, CSR, healthcare and security, with provisions for internal mobility to support career progression. The company has implemented structured policies, includi..