Railways cuts bulk cement freight to a flat ₹0.90 per tonne-km
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled rationalised rates for bulk cement carried in containers and a policy for bulk cement terminals at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi on 18 November 2025.
Summary
Under the new Railways policy on bulk cement, distance and weight slabs have been removed and freight will be charged at a flat ₹0.90 per tonne per kilometre on actual Gross Tonne Kilometres. Tank containers will offer end-to-end, pollution-free transport, and new bulk cement terminals will support door-to-door logistics. Ashwini Vaishnaw said the reform should lower cement costs for families building homes, and that India is now the world's second-largest rail freight carrier, having overtaken the USA.
Key facts
- New rate
- Flat ₹0.90 per tonne-km (GTKM basis)
- Removed
- Distance and weight slabs
- Mode
- Tank containers; new bulk cement terminals
- Unveiled by
- Ashwini Vaishnaw, 18 Nov 2025
- Claim
- India 2nd-largest rail freight carrier, ahead of USA
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Under the Railways' new policy of November 2025, bulk cement in containers will be charged at what flat rate?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹0.90 per tonne per km
Distance and weight slabs were removed and a flat rate of ₹0.90 per tonne per km (GTKM basis) was introduced.
According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in November 2025, where does India now rank among the world's rail freight carriers?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Second-largest
The Minister said India is now the world's second-largest freight carrier, having surpassed the USA.