Railways eyes lucrative e-commerce space, making Vande Bharat-like freight trains

News: Railways eyeing lucrative ecommerce space, making Vande Bharat-like freight trains that can run at 160 kmph. Each of those 16-car trains with a maximum speed of 160 km per hour is estimated to cost about ₹60 crore, three times more than a normal freight train with 45 wagons. But the increased speed of these rakes - existing cargo trains in India run at a maximum speed of 75 kmph - could help the national transporter augment its freight market share from 28% now. one of the two officers said, adding that the railways has been aiming at a 40% share in freight logistics by 2030. In addition, the last two cars on both ends of the train will be refrigerated to ferry perishable items such as fruits and vegetables.

Views: It will benefit wagon manufacturing companies.

Impact: Positive