South Western Railway introduces bulk cement tankers; mechanised logistics to slash costs by 30% and bag prices by Rs 30
South Western Railway announced a significant transition in industrial logistics by introducing specialised tankers for bulk cement transport. Similar to equipment used for petroleum products, these tankers allow for much larger volumes to be moved compared to traditional methods, leading to an estimated 30 percent reduction in overall logistics expenditure. By shifting from manual, labour-intensive bagged transport to a mechanised and multi-modal logistics solution, the initiative is expected to lower retail cement prices by Rs 20-30 per bag, providing a boost to regional construction.
Senior Indian Railway Traffic Service officer Mukul Saran Mathur explained that previous logistics models faced hurdles due to complex tariff structures and slow manual handling of 50 kg bags. These inefficiencies often forced manufacturers to rely on road transport, which increased carbon emissions and costs. The new framework addresses these bottlenecks through a rationalised freight policy and a flat rate of Rs 90 per tonne per kilometre based on actual gross weight. This reform eliminates unpredictable price jumps on shorter routes, making rail a more competitive logistics choice.
The transformation is supported by a new bulk terminal policy designed to encourage investment in automated infrastructure, such as pipelines for unloading directly at industrial sites. Chief Public Relations Officer Manjunath Kanamadi confirmed that several cement companies have already expressed interest in this modernised logistics network. By removing the need for traditional packaging and manual loading, the project delivers substantial savings across the entire supply chain while offering a cleaner, end-to-end transport solution.
SOURCE – TIMES OF INDIA
