IR resumes busy season surcharge

IR is resuming the busy season surcharge of 15 per cent on all freight traffic with effect from October 1, 2022. The charge will be levied on transpor­tation of all commodities except coal and coke, containers and automobiles moved in certain wagons. It is expected that the surcharge will directly increase the cost of transporting fertilisers, cement and foodgrains on the railway network. The charges, which were applicable some years back (during October 1 to June 30), were withdrawn on October 1, 2019 for all goods except iron ore, petroleum, oil and lubricants. Reportedly, the initial waiver was in light of economic activities slowing down in 2019.