New Delhi, The Railway Ministry has decided to amend its existing policies to allow industries to design freight wagons according to their specific requirements.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw held a review meeting on Thursday with senior officials to undertake comprehensive reforms in the existing Wagon Design Policy to make it more attractive for various industries.
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The move is aimed at attracting new freight streams, enhancing customer convenience, and significantly increasing the rail share in the national logistics sector, the minister said.
"Indian Railways is engaging in extensive consultations with various industries, trade bodies, and major freight customers associated with commodities that have significant potential for rail transportation," a press note from the railway ministry said.
"During these discussions, industry representatives suggested that if wagon designs are customized according to the specific handling, loading, unloading, and transportation requirements of different commodities, rail transport could be adopted on a much wider scale," it read.
Officials said Vaishnaw during the review meeting directed officials to finalise the new Wagon Design Policy within 15 days with an industry-friendly framework for the development of specialised wagons tailored to the needs of different commodities.
The review meeting also highlighted the success of recently-developed specialised wagons for commodities such as cement and salt that has demonstrated the importance of designing wagons in accordance with industry operational requirements.
"Commodity-specific wagons have improved loading, unloading, and transportation efficiency, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of rail logistics," the ministry said.
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For instance, transportation of steel coils requires special binding arrangements and dedicated loading and unloading systems, while several other commodities also have their own distinct operational requirements.
Vaishnaw also directed strict standards for design approval and prototype development to ensure the production of the highest quality wagons in India.
"Under the new framework, industries will be empowered to propose modifications in wagon design as per their needs. The responsibility for ensuring wagon safety will rest with RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation) and the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS). These reforms are expected to enable the entry of several new industries into the railway freight ecosystem," the press note read.
"By enabling industries to shift a greater volume of freight from road to rail, the new Wagon Design Policy will advance the vision of Green Railways and Green Logistics," it added.
