Parliamentary committee bats for annual review of rail freight rates

Advertise on rail coaches, wagons for revenue boost, says panel

The Ministry of Railways should conduct annual comprehensive assessment of its freight rates and rationalise the same to effectively compete with road transport and other modes, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways said on Tuesday.

 

"The committee observed that the last revision of freight rates was undertaken in 2018 and that rates have remained unchanged since then. This approach reflects a strategic intent to balance multiple objectives like encouraging higher freight volumes, managing financial constraints, maintaining competitive pricing, and responding to prevailing economic conditions,” the panel said in a report.

 

The committee urged the national transporter to undertake an