Category: Policy

Under the Union Budget 2023-24, the Ministry of Railway (MoR) has received an allocation of Rs 2,412.67 billion (budget estimates).

Highlights for railways sector from Economic Survey of India 2022-23

Ministry of Railways (MoR) has released a five-pronged energy efficiency plan to become carbon-neutral by 2030.

Reportedly, the Ministry of Railways (MoR) seeks a 30 per cent higher budget allocation for 2023-24 in a bid to support the launch of new trains and upgrade the existing rail infrastructure.

In a bid to   attract more investments into connectivity projects in areas where infrastructure development does not make sense financially, the government has decided to give weightage to intangible benefits such as social, environmental and network effects of such projects.

Indian Railways (IR) is considering merging all the units’ producing locomotives and rolling stock under a single public sector undertaking (PSU).

Indian Railways (IR) has proposed to maker wagon booking norms for freight movement stricter in a bid to restrict ‘indent mafia’.

In a bid to enable decarbonisation of the sector, Indian Railways (IR) has floated a policy under which it plans to replace its entire fleet of vehicles that operate on diesel, bio-fuels or natural gas with electric vehicles by December 2025.

Indian Railways (IR) has allowed the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) through its network, enabling cheaper delivery of the fuel to areas that lack pipelines.

Indian Railways (IR) is resuming the busy season surcharge of 15 per cent on all freight traffic with effect from October 1, 2022.

The National Logistics Policy has been launched on September 17, 2022.

In a bid to facilitate the implementation of PM Gati Shakti framework, the Union Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Railway’s proposal to revise the railways’ land policy.

In a bid to increase business opportunities, Indian Railways has allowed Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL) to offer discounts for roll-on-roll-off (Ro-Ro) services.

In order to check rake congestion due to delays at coal handling terminals and power houses, the Railways Board is considering levying penal demurrage charges.

Mission Raftaar has been envisaged by Indian Railways or speed enhancement and to achieve a target of doubling average speed of freight trains and increasing the average speed of superfast /mail/express trains by 25 km per hour.

Indian Railways (IR) has reduced the discounts it offers for ferrying empty containers and flat wagons thereby increasing the overall charges it levies.

In an important development, Indian Railways (IR) has formalised charges for roll-on / roll-off (Ro-Ro) services offered to the transporters.

In a bid to increase the share of e-commerce revenues, Indian Railways (IR) is working on overhauling its parcel policy.