Cargo movement from Mumbai to the rest of the country went up in the last week, resulting in an increase in truck freight rates. A shortage of vehicles also played a significant role in hiking the rates to some states including West Bengal and Gujarat.

Freight rates to Jammu & Kashmir went up by around five per cent after an announcement by the state government banning overloading of trucks. Most states slap an extra charge on every tonne of excess weight beyond the carrying capacity of the trucks. The ban on overloading in Jammu & Kashmir has resulted in a shortage of vehicles fuelling a rise in the rates. The rates from Mumbai to Srinagar during the last week went up by Rs 1,200 from Rs 23,200 to Rs 24,400.

The Mumbai to Delhi rates went up by Rs 500 to Rs 13,000. According to transporters, a lot of paper (including newsprint) moved out of Mumbai to the capital in the last week. In therest of the northern region, truck rates moved up in the range of Rs 100 to Rs 1,000.

Freight rates from Mumbai to almost all cities in Gujarat moved up by Rs 200. The rates to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan increased by Rs 500 due to good cargo movement. Rates to destinations within Maharashtra remained subdued.

The Mumbai to Guwahati rates went up by Rs 500 to Rs 27,000 while rates to Jorhat rose to Rs 32,000, marking a hike of Rs 800. The rates to Raniganj increased by Rs 1,350 to Rs 19,200 due to shortage of vehicles.

Rates from Mumbai to the southern states (except Andhra Pradesh) witnessed a marginal hike. The Mumbai-to-Vizag rates fell by Rs 300 to Rs 9,200.

Freight rates to Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu moved in a narrow band of Rs 100-300.