The India Cements plant at Chilamkur (near Yerraguntla in Andhra Pradesh) has started loading wet Fly Ash to their plant in Vishnupuram, near Miryalaguda in Telangana. This is the first time that Fly Ash is being loaded by Railways from this plant. Previously, the company used to transport the same through roadways. Fly Ash is an input used by the cement companies for manufacturing PCC (Portland Cement Concrete) cement. It is also an environment-friendly way of utilising fly ash.
- The newly formed Business development Unit (BDU) of Guntakal Division has been making continuous efforts in expanding the railway freight basket of the division.
- The team has been holding regular meetings to make the freight customers aware of the benefits of transporting by Railways.
- The customers are also being briefed about the regular Policy initiatives being taken at the Board level for their benefit.
- In this direction, in August 2020, the Railway Board has introduced a policy rebate of 40% concession on the Normal Tariff Rates (NTR), for freight customers who load Fly Ash either in bagged or in loose/bulk condition through open wagons.
- The BDU of Guntakal division acted accordingly in making the freight customers aware of the benefits by transporting their material by railways.
- Now, these continuous efforts have resulted in the loading of the First Fly-Ash rake availing tariff rebate under the policy concessions through Railways from this plant.
- Apart from being beneficial to the customers in terms of freight concession and also generating additional revenue and loading to the Railways, transportation by the railways is also an environment-friendly way of transporting Fly-Ash.
- Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, SCR complimented the team of Officers and Staff of Guntakal Division for initiating this new stream of traffic for the Railways.
- He advised all the other Zonal and Divisional BDUs to continue their efforts towards taping new areas of freight business for the Railways.
- He advised the teams to particularly make the freight customers aware of how loading by Railways is not economically beneficial to them, but also beneficial in terms of safety, speed and being environment-friendly.
Concession and incentive schemes for freight traffic:
With a view to further increase the freight loading, Railway Board has announced a set of concession and incentive schemes for freight traffic.
Incentive Schemes for Loading of Fly Ash:
- Fly Ash in bagged or loose/bulk condition when loaded in open wagons (BOXN type), 40% concession is applicable on NTR.
- Fly ash in bagged condition when loaded in flat wagons (BRN type), a freight concession of 40% is applicable on NTR, whereas, if loaded in covered wagons will be charged at NTR of LR1 class.
- No other concessions shall be applicable when the consignment is booked under these Policies and schemes.
- Concessions offered in Long Lead are applicable for Train Load only.
Source: South Central Railway-Press Release
