Indian Railways (IR) is the fourth-largest rail network in the world having transported 1.2 billion tons of freight. Yet, 71 per cent of India’s freight is transported by road and only 17 per cent by rail.
Key Challenges to Indian Rail Freight
Indian Railways in order to improve the contribution of rail freight in overall freight movement – including air, water and road have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) for India – 2030. The Plan is to create a ‘future ready’ Railway system by 2030.
The NRP is aimed to formulate strategies based on both operational capacities and commercial policy initiatives to increase modal share of the Railways in freight to 45%.
The key objectives of the National Rail Plan are:-