New Delhi - Road transport, particularly through heavy-duty trailers, has emerged as the most economical mode for moving bulk cargo in India, according to a study by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The assessment found that trailers with axle loads above 55 tonnes operate at an average cost of ₹1.51 per tonne-km (PTPK) — the lowest among freight modes — benefiting from economies of scale and the advantage of seamless first- and last-mile connectivity.

By comparison, rail transport was found to cost ₹1.96 per tonne-km, though this estimate excludes . . .