The Hindu Business Line : Railways expects sharp rise in cement loading

The Railways expects a sharp increase in cement loading in the current fiscal, with new cement plants coming up at neighbouring Ariyalur and the existing units enhancing their production capacity.

Cement is a major commodity next only to coal which is being transported in huge quantities through rail, enabling the Tiruchi Railway Division to generate substantial revenue from its loading.

During 2007-08 fiscal, the total freight loading in Tiruchi division was 4.86 million tonnes, thereby generating revenue of Rs 120 crore. Coal and Cement loadings accounted for the maximum with 2.48 million tonnes and 1.57 million tonnes respectively. The share of foodgrains loading was 0.6 million tonnes and others, which included fertiliser and sugar, came to around 0.2 million tonnes.

The divisional railway authorities expect a further increase in overall freight loading in the current fiscal. “We are aiming at originating loading of 6.1 million tonnes,” said the Divisional Railway Manager, Mr R.C. Jat.

Upbeat mood

Though the authorities foresee a rise in coal loading in the current year too, they are also upbeat of a drastic increase in cement loading. They are confident that cement loading would increase to 2.25 million tonnes as two new private plants are expected to go on stream anytime between September and December. Mr Jat said the division moved 622 goods trains carrying only cement last year. This year they expect it to increase to 900 goods trains.

With the third private plant expected to get commissioned by June next year, railway officials are confident that the total freight loading would cross the 10 million tonnes mark in 2010-11.

Among the cement manufacturers, the Dalmia Cements, Madras Cements and India Cements are the major customers for the Tiruchi Railway Division. Various schemes had been launched by the railway over the years to attract the cement manufacturers to transport their product by rail, which is cheaper in comparison with road transport.

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