Exercise to increase the share of freight traffic in the railway system

- New concept of rating system for transport by rail instead of road transport

Indian Railways is bringing the concept of rating system. This will give 'Rail Green Points' to those companies which prefer railways over road transport for freight. Road transport emits four times more carbon.

Sources in the Railway Ministry said that freighters should know how much carbon emissions they have saved by opting for rail transport instead of roads. Carbon savings will be estimated per tonne and consumers will be given rail green points. The Rail Green Point account of each freight customer will be maintained in the Freight Operations Information System.

Although Indian Railways will not offer any financial benefits in return for these green points, it is hoped that it will be able to persuade companies to stay away from road transport. Companies can display this rating in their communications and annual reports.

The Energy and Resources Institute has been tasked with developing and improving the Greenhouse Gas Emission Calculator. If we talk about current levels, up to 0.050 kg of carbon dioxide is emitted by road transport in 1 ton cargo for 1 km. In contrast, the railways emit only 0.008 kg or 3% of it. This difference will be given in the form of carbon saving points due to railway selection.

The move comes at a time when Indian Railways is working to increase its share in total freight traffic across the country. Under the National Rail Plan, the Railways has set a target of increasing its share in the country's total freight traffic to 5 per cent, from the current 5 to 6 per cent.

Attempts to attract companies to take rail services instead of road transport have come at a time when the railways are trying to diversify its freight basket.

At present, Indian Railways' freight basket is dominated by coal and Aryan ore, accounting for more than 60 per cent of total freight traffic. Railways have carried 18 million tonnes of freight till February and are expected to cross 150 million tonnes in the current financial year. According to the World Bank, 90% of the goods transported in India are transported by road. If this plan of the railway system is successful, its share in freight transport will increase and it will also help in meeting the target set for this.