Railways to give discount on transport of empty containers, flat wagons

The railways will give a discount of 25 per cent on the extant haulage rate per Twenty Feet Equivalent Unit (TEU) on the transport of empty containers as well empty flat container wagons in order to facilitate movement of containers by rail towards ports, a statement from the ministry said.

It is expected to enhance the efficient handling of traffic at ports and attract a larger share of container traffic to rail.

"The move is to meet the demand of container train operators (CTOs) and is expected to give a boost to container business both in export, import and domestic. This move is likely to give the desired boost to rail container segment and be a profitable proposition to Indian Railway. By reduction of the rate by 25 per cent, railways expect to get more traffic by reducing rate," the statement said.

It will help to load more commodity at an economical rate which will result in low prices in the market giving benefit to the common man.

Also, smooth movement of rakes which will result in less detention time and products will reach a destination in time. Presently 18 private container train operator(CTO)and CONCOR are operating this container service, it said.