Indian Railways explore alternatives to diversify its freight mix

10 Jun 2021 CW Team

Officials from the railways said they aim to replace coal with more freight from the car, consumer goods, and so-called white goods industries, which include companies that make air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and other home equipment.

Coal accounts for a significant portion of Indian Railways' freight. For instance, in May, the Indian Railways loaded 114.8 million tonne (mt) of freight, with coal accounting for 54.52 mt of the total.

According to an official, the Indian Railways is addressing earlier concerns about increasing its share of freight transport because the railways were losing out on many industries' business due to inefficient paperwork, improper minute-to-minute tracking, and slow train speeds.

Officials expect live freight load tracking, more efficient payment systems, better rail speeds, and cheaper tariffs for some commodities to help the company boost its share of cargo transport from industries other than coal.

To speed up the process, Business Development Units have been established in each railway zone and at the Ministry of Railways. The national carrier also hopes that its new online payment system will make freight charges more transparent and decrease the inconveniences associated with freight loading and payment, encouraging more industries, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises to shift goods to Indian Railways.

Western Railway was the first division across all railways to implement an online payment system for freight charges on the transportation management system.

Suneet Sharma, Chairman of the Railway Board and Chief Executive Officer, told reporters that the Indian Railways had increased freight loading from the cement and automobile industries, and many others.

Image Source

Also read: Indian Railways records highest ever freight loading for the month of May

Also read: Indian Railways experience a 59.38% increase in freight loading

Indian Railways is aiming to diversify its freight mix to lessen its reliance on coal, which is one of the national transporter’s mainstays in the cargo transport business, according to the Ministry of Railways. Officials from the railways said they aim to replace coal with more freight from the car, consumer goods, and so-called white goods industries, which include companies that make air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and other home equipment. Coal accounts for a significant portion of Indian Railways' freight. For instance, in May, the Indian Railways loaded 114.8 million tonne (mt) of freight, with coal accounting for 54.52 mt of the total. According to an official, the Indian Railways is addressing earlier concerns about increasing its share of freight transport because the railways were losing out on many industries' business due to inefficient paperwork, improper minute-to-minute tracking, and slow train speeds. Officials expect live freight load tracking, more efficient payment systems, better rail speeds, and cheaper tariffs for some commodities to help the company boost its share of cargo transport from industries other than coal. To speed up the process, Business Development Units have been established in each railway zone and at the Ministry of Railways. The national carrier also hopes that its new online payment system will make freight charges more transparent and decrease the inconveniences associated with freight loading and payment, encouraging more industries, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises to shift goods to Indian Railways. Western Railway was the first division across all railways to implement an online payment system for freight charges on the transportation management system. Suneet Sharma, Chairman of the Railway Board and Chief Executive Officer, told reporters that the Indian Railways had increased freight loading from the cement and automobile industries, and many others. Image Source Also read: Indian Railways records highest ever freight loading for the month of May Also read: Indian Railways experience a 59.38% increase in freight loading

Infrastructure Urban

04 May 2026

Jyoti Structures FY26 profit rises 56.5%

Jyoti Structures (JSL) recently reported strong financial results for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2026, driven by disciplined execution, cost management and steady progress across its order book.For Q4 FY2025-26, total income rose 44.2 per cent to Rs 2.41 billion from Rs 1.67 billion in Q4 FY2024-25. EBITDA increased 58.6 per cent to Rs 237 million, while EBITDA margin improved by 89 basis points to 9.84 per cent. Profit before tax grew 53.3 per cent to Rs 188.5 million, and net profit rose 51.9 per cent to Rs 181.4 million.For FY2025-26, total income grew 53.1 per cent to Rs 7.72 bill..

Infrastructure Energy

04 May 2026

Cat BEPU to Power Doppstadt Separator at IFAT 2026

Caterpillar’s Cat Battery Electric Power Unit (BEPU) has been selected by Doppstadt to power its SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator, which will be showcased for the first time at IFAT 2026 in Munich, Germany, from 4–7 May.The compact plug-and-play BEPU is designed to replace a diesel engine within the same space, using the same mounting locations and relative machine position. It integrates the battery, motor, inverter, onboard charging, cooling and controls, enabling OEMs to electrify existing chassis platforms without extensive redesign.Caterpillar and Cat dealer Zeppelin Power Systems have be..

Infrastructure Urban

04 May 2026

VECV sales rise 6.9% in April 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles, a joint venture between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, recorded sales of 7,318 units in April 2026, compared to 6,846 units in April 2025, registering 6.9 per cent growth. The total included 7,159 units under the Eicher brand and 159 units under the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,159 units during the month, up 6.6 per cent from 6,717 units in April 2025. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 8.6 per cent to 6,797 units from 6,257 units a year earlier.Exports declined 21.3 per cent, with VECV recording 362 units in ..