IR formalises charges for Ro-Ro services

In an important development, IR has formalised charges for roll-on/ roll-off (ro-ro) services offered to transporters. Reportedly, the rates are comparable to road tariffs. The freight charges will be applicable for all Ro-Ro services offered by IR, including the ones offered on DFCs. Fur­ther, the freight circular ensures that pan-Indian char­ges are uniform for ro-ro (which was till now done on a case-by-case basis). Overhead char­ges su­ch as development charge, busy season surcharge, terminal charge, and goods and services tax are applicable over and above the base freight rate of the railways. As per the rates circular, commodities such as coal, iron ore and military traffic are excluded from ro-ro services. As per coaching tariff, a maximum of two passengers will be allowed per truck and they will have to purchase second-class tickets for the journey of equivalent value.