Rates in the northern region slightly firmed up in the last week. Freight rates to Jammu & Kashmir, however, increased sharply by Rs 2,000 because of the heavy snowfall that prevented a smooth passage of the vehicles. As a result, rates to Srinagar rates were up at Rs 25,000. Truck rates to Himachal Pradesh, however, rose only by Rs 100-200. Rates to Shimla were up by Rs 200 to Rs 17,000. As the cargo movement picked up, the truck rates to states including Uttar Pradesh rebounded and rose by Rs 100-250 rupees. The rates to Lucknow were up by Rs 200 to Rs 13,200 last week. Rates to Agra were up by Rs 300 to Rs 12,300. Mumbai to Delhi rates, however, remained stable at Rs 12,000. The rates to Haryana and Punjab witnessed a Rs 100-200 change.

Rates to Bihar too were steady. In the western region, the rates continued to remain steady for thesecond week. Mumbai to Surat rates were at Rs 3,500 while rates to Jaipur in Rajasthan were at Rs 10,000. The eastern sector also largely remained unaffected as there was no mis-match between the cargo and vehicles availability. Rates to Guwahati were at Rs 33,000 while those to Tinshukhia remained at Rs 40,000. Freight rates to Calcutta were steady at Rs 20,000. Rates to Orissa too were stable.

The diversion of vehicles to north following a pick-up in the cargo movement, the rates to southern region witnessed some increases. Though the freight rates to the region went up by Rs 100-200, the rates to some cities like Chennai were up substantially. Mumbai to Chennai and Cochin rates were up by Rs 500 and Rs 600 to Rs Rs 14,300 and Rs 16,000, respectively.