Indian Railways has recorded a 170 per cent rise in cement transportation over the last four months following a series of logistics reforms introduced in November last year, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday.
Reviewing the implementation of container sector reforms, Vaishnaw said the turnaround had been driven by the introduction of innovative bulk cement tank containers and a new bulk cement terminal policy aimed at boosting rail-based freight movement and reducing dependence on road transport.
The Railway Ministry said the reforms have enabled seamless end-to-end cement logistics through customised tank containers that simplify loading and unloading, while reducing material losses, logistics costs and turnaround time.
According to the ministry, the specialised “Make in India” tank containers allow cement to move directly from manufacturing plants to consumption centres and construction sites in ready-to-use form compatible with Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) systems. The containers are designed for smooth transfer between trains and trailers, supporting mechanised loading and unloading and reducing spillage and packaging losses associated with conventional bagged cement transport.
The ministry said the reduction in multiple handling stages was improving plant-to-market efficiency and lowering the delivered cost of cement, a move expected to support affordable housing projects by reducing construction expenses for the poor and middle class.
Vaishnaw also highlighted the environmental benefits of the reforms, saying the shift towards bulk rail transport had reduced dust generation, fuel consumption, road congestion and emissions.
Following the success in cement movement, the Railways is now planning similar reforms for fly ash transportation. Reviewing the sector with senior officials, the minister asked them to tap the “vast potential” of the fly ash market and convert waste generated by thermal power plants into “national wealth”.
He noted that nearly 300 million metric tonnes of fly ash are produced annually in India, but only around 13 million tonnes are currently transported by Railways.
Vaishnaw said wider utilisation of fly ash in brick kilns, cement manufacturing, road construction and infrastructure projects could reduce pollution, promote recycling of industrial waste and lower construction material costs.
The ministry said the reforms in cement logistics and the planned expansion into fly ash transport mark a major step towards cleaner, cost-effective and scalable freight movement for Indian Railways.
