16,500-km doubling/tripling of lines sanctioned.

The government is creating about 100 private freight terminals through private investments along railway stations.

“We are already creating about 100 private freight terminals with private participation so that more and more traffic can come to the railways,” Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu told a conference on July 13, 2017.

The ministry has also sanctioned 16,500-km of doubling and tripling of rail lines, he said at ‘India – on the Cusp of a Logistics Revolution’ conference organized by ASSOCHAM.

He stressed private participation in such developments.

Prabhu said Indian Railways is trying to get back its modal share in freight segment.

“Indian Railways new Freight policy has rationalised tariffs,” he said at the Railways Round Table Conference on “New Alternatives in Wagon Design: Reaching out to Customers”.

“Indian Railways is trying to work on partnership with its freight customers,” the Minister assured.

“The new alternative wagon design is another step towards it. New Wagon Design as per the need of customers is a win-win situation for both, customers and railways.

“Customers can modify/alter the wagons as per the need and railways freight share can increase substantially.

“Commodity basket of Indian Railways has also been diversified. It is our effort to capture the unexplored segment of agriculture & fisheries to increase freight traffic,” said Prabhu. fii-news.com