Railway increases rakes to help cement import from Pakistan

New Delhi, Jul 25 (UNI) The Indian Railways has raised the number of rakes to facilitate the import of cement from Pakistan through Attari border to meet the shortage in the domestic market, a Railway Ministry statement said.

The number of rakes being exchanged between India and Pakistan has been steadily increasing to facilitate more import of cement from the latter, it said.

Railways has also improved its handling capacity at Amritsar goods shed, making it work round the clock. The approach roads to the goods shed have also been improved substantially.

In the recent meeting between Indo-Pak Railway delegation held in New Delhi, it was emphasised that Pakistan would provide eight-wheeler rakes instead of four-wheeler rakes. It would ensure faster movement of goods across the rail network.

So far, India has imported 1,73,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) of cement from Pakistan by rail during April-June (45,000 MT in April and 64,000 MT each in May and June).

Two rakes per day are being exchanged presently, which would be gradually increased to three rakes per day, subject to adequate traffic demands.

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