NEW DELHI: The Indian Railways has hiked the charge it levies for ferrying empty containers and flat wagons by reducing the discount it offers. Under the revised rates, there will be a discount of 10%. This is down from a 15% discount on haulage charge per twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) for movement of empty containers and empty flat wagons. A TEU is a measuring standard often used for containers.
These revised charges will be valid from August 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022. In April this year, the national transporter had reduced the discount
it offers for movement of empty containers and empty flat wagons from 25% to 15%, on the then prevailing haulage charge.
A senior Rail Ministry official has told that the objective of these discounts was to encourage the container segment of freight during the COVID-19 pandemic. With record loading being seen in the last financial year, and the container loading showing expected growth, these discounts are being gradually reduced.
The Indian Railways reported 1418 million tonnes (MT) freight loading during 2021-22, 15 per cent higher than the 1233.24 MT loading in 2020-21.
This was the highest ever freight loading reported by the railways during a financial year till date.
