The Hindu Business Line : Rlys hikes container haulage rates

Even as Railways expects a record profit of Rs 20,000 crore for the present fiscal, it has hiked haulage charges for moving containers for several segments.

The range of the hike varies widely, depending on total tonnage and distance moved. However, the hike is maximum in short-distance categories for all slabs.

The new charges come into effect from November 1. In the present fiscal, this is the second time that Railways has increased container haulage charges. The first hike was implemented from April.

The move will increase operating costs for container operators, who pay haulage charges to Indian Railways for using its track and signalling infrastructure. Thus, if Concor (Container Corporation of India) doesn't hike tariffs for its customers, its margins are likely to be hit. These charges will be valid for other private operators as well.

Railways has introduced a slab of over 26 tonnes in the haulage rates for loaded containers. Till date, Railways has two slabs for moving loaded containers - up to 20 tonnes and over 20 tonnes. With the new charges, in order to move containers with loads of over 26 tonnes, Concor would have to pay 7-9 per cent higher rates. However, there has been a marginal decrease (of about 2-2.5 per cent) in haulage rates for containers loaded in the 20-26-tonne category.

The hike is steep for light-weight containers (up to 20 tonnes) moving over short distances. For containers weighing up to 20 tonnes for 450-500 km, Concor would have to pay almost 34 per cent higher charges to Railways. Similarly, moving empty containers across 451-500 km distance has also become expensive by 34 per cent. However, there is not much of a change in the long distance rates for such containers.

Hauling double stack, loaded containers has become expensive by 34 per cent for distances of 451-500 km. For 951-1,000 km stretches, the increase is about 3.4 per cent and for longer distances, there is no change. Railways has also restricted movement of ores, minerals, coal and coke in containers.