scorecardresearch
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
TopicFreight trains

Topic: Freight trains

Indian Railways only chugging along, a new business plan could put it on superfast track

Railways' profitable business is losing ground to road competition, while it's losing money on passenger travel. By not raising fares, it's not really sparing the public.

Railways’ massive Dedicated Freight Corridor nears completion 2 decades later — why it’s a big deal

80% of 2,843-km DFC was operational by August 2023. Built at a cost of Rs 1.24 lakh crore, the corridor — made up of eastern and western arms — spans 9 states & 77 districts.

Less carbon, more automation—Covid lessons became key agendas for Asia-Pacific at UNESCAP

Poor connectivity in the Asia-Pacific became clear during Covid-19. Before we get back on track, transport needs to change.

Railways to monetise assets worth Rs 54,000 cr to raise funds, has identified projects, land

List of projects identified for monetisation will be submitted to the NITI Aayog by next week. The railway ministry has been told to expeditiously take up projects for monetisation.

Railways draws up big plan to double its loading capacity by 2024, calls for ‘reinvention’

In a letter, the Railway Board lists several steps needed to boost infrastructure to achieve the target. It also says funds will be made available based on the Railways' performance.

Punjab’s protesting farmers playing into Modi govt’s hands, says state Congress chief

The Modi government has invited protesting farmers for talks on 13 November in a bid to end the impasse. But Sunil Jakhar says Centre’s intentions are suspect.

Power crisis, urea shortage, piled-up grain stock — how goods train suspension has hit Punjab

With goods trains not plying in Punjab since 2 Oct, both govt & private thermal plants are facing acute coal shortage. Urea for farms is also not reaching state, leading to shortage.

Railways to set up business units in each zone to double freight volume, draw road traffic

In a letter, Railway Board said multi-disciplinary business units will be set up & ads will be released to publicise that such units are available & Railways is keen to attract new traffic.

Railways begins scheduled freight trains on pilot basis to match speed of passenger trains

Till now, only passenger trains in India were scheduled, while freight trains ran whenever they were loaded. 

To boost revenue, Railways offers discounts if customers book ‘round-trip’ freight haulage

Ministry of Railways writes to zonal managers, stating that the railways must start competing with road transports who offer round-trip discounts on goods.

On Camera

Bihar mimics 19th-century American South. Citizenship is now weaponised to exclude voters

Disenfranchisement by institutional fiat is profoundly undemocratic. The effect of the ECI's new documentary process in Bihar will tilt the scales in favour of the BJP.

India-US set to ink mini trade deal soon, reach understanding on agricultural & dairy products

Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.

Not just AK-203, India & Russia to jointly manufacture AK-19 and PPK-20 for domestic use and export 

India-Russia JV is also racing to deliver 7,000 more AK-203 assault rifles by 15 Aug. These are currently being made with 50% indigenisation and this will surge to 100% by 31 December.

Strategic partner one day, tactical nightmare the next: India’s learning Trumplomacy the hard way

Public, loud, upfront, filled with impropriety and high praise sometimes laced with insults. This is what we call Trumplomacy. But the larger objective is the same: American supremacy.