Indian Railways expects a huge movement of foodgrains across the country, once the UPA government’s proposed Food Security Bill is passed, a senior official said here today.
D P Pande, General Manager of South-Central Railway said the national carrier encourages private freight terminals under the PPP model to meet the future cargo handling demand from all sectors.
“As per our estimation, with Food Security Bill, there will be a major increase in the rail movement across the country. In Andhra, as a strong producer of foodgrains, there will be an increased movement,” Pande said in a press conference.
The landmark legislation aims at giving legal right over a uniform quantity of 5 kg food grains at a fixed price of Rs 1-per kg via ration shops to 67 per cent of the population.
He said the cement industry in the country has made investments worth nearly Rs 30,000 crore to increase capacities which would be required for transportation.
According to him, the major constraint for Railways is terminals. Freight handling terminals have to be increased proportionate to tonnage.
“That is why we promulgated private freight terminal policy. Anybody, who can set up a terminal in a private property, we will provide the authority to handle goods and he can charge the customers,” Pande explained.