Lok Sabha Question No. 3076 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Role of Rail-based Coal Transportation
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mrs Ruchi Vira

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3076 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## ROLE OF RAIL-BASED COAL TRANSPORTATION

## †3076. MRS RUCHI VIRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  role  of  rail-based  coal transportation in supporting small-scale industrial clusters, such as the brass  handicraft  units  located  in  the  Moradabad  district  of  Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details of the logistics planning, scheduling coordination and freight  handling  measures  adopted  by  the  Government  to  meet  the
- industrial fuel requirements in the said district; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  infrastructure/service-level  improvement  measures proposed by the Government to enhance the reliability of raw material transportation for traditional manufacturing hubs?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c) Coal is supplied by coal companies to industrial consumers and authorized coal distributors in the state as per demand and availability. The Government, through coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Coal and Indian Railways, undertakes various measures to improve the availability of coal supply  from  coal  fields.  These  include  improved  production  planning, diversification of coal sale channels including  Single  Window  Mode Agnostic (SWMA) e-auction and linkage mechanisms, and close

coordination with various stakeholders for efficient evacuation and transportation of  coal  from  mines  to  consuming  regions.  Indian  Railways supports  this  process  by  ensuring  adequate  rake  availability,  efficient freight  operations  and  connectivity  between  coalfields  and  consumption centres. These  measures  help  ensure  steady  availability and  timely movement  of  coal  to  various  industrial  consumers,  including  small-scale and traditional manufacturing clusters spread across the country.

Indian  Railways  fully  recognises  the  vital  role  that  rail-based  coal transportation plays in sustaining industrial clusters, including small-scale industries  across  the  country  .  In  order  to  serve  the  needs  of  various consumers in the Moradabad area, inward coal rakes are being handled at Rampur,  Garhmukteshwar  and  Roza  stations.  The  nearest  railhead  to Moradabad, Rampur (27 km), has handled 45 inward coal rakes during the current financial year up to February 2026. In addition, the goodsheds at Garhmukteshwar  and  Roza,  located  in  the  vicinity  of  the  region,  have handled  123  and  15  inward  coal  rakes  respectively  during  the  current financial year up to February 2026.

In order to augment handling capacity and improve last-mile connectivity, Indian Railways has introduced the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal  (GCT) policy. This facilitates  development  of  private  cargo terminals  with  mechanised  loading/unloading  systems,  thereby  reducing congestion  and  improving  operational  efficiency.    Under  the  Gati  Shakti

Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy, 125 GCTs have been operationalised across the country, including 2 in and around Moradabad district.  Recently, a new GCT  at Dalpatpur Station, just 12 km  from Moradabad, has been commissioned in February 2025. *****