'Indian Rlys to increase freight terminals: Mamata

New Delhi, Jul 3: Presenting the Railway Budget in Parliament, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said that besides improving the loading of coal, iron ore, cement, fertilizers and foodgrain, measures are being taken to increase the share in new traffic streams like automobiles and fly ash.

Mamata said that permission to access private sidings will be given to containers, which will help in attracting piecemeal traffic presently not being carried by Railways.

"The Railway will also encourage private ownership of special purpose rolling stock for commodities and private operation of freight terminals," she added. The Minister later said, "A new policy would be unveiled to allow construction and operation of private freight terminals and multi-modal logistic parks."

She further added that the Indian Railways are in process of bringing together state governments and major logistics players to set up logistics parks co-habited by multiple players through participative funding.

"Mega logistics hubs are also being planned alongside the proposed Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors," she added.

ANI