To increase its market share in freight transportation, the railways are getting ready to run triple-stack container trains. Pipavav Rail Corporation Ltd (PRCL) has just received clearance from Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) for introducing triple-stack container trains.
I n the beginning, these container trains will be run only on diesel routes where double-stack containers are being moved. Trial runs for these trains are over and they will now be introduced for commercial purpose.
The containers will be of a smaller non-standard size and will be used mainly for domestic transportation. Sources said they would be shorter in size than the ISO size containers- at about 6 feet 4 inches.
The containers can ideally be used for transporting commodities, which require more space and need to be carried with care. ?They are ideal for carrying cars as well as white goods,? a Rail Bhawan official said.
Sources said while PRCL had gone ahead with the idea of running triple-stack container trains, other container train operators may also follow suit.
This will augur well with the plans of the railways, which have been eyeing the auto transport segment for quite some, especially with many car manufacturers setting up production units in the country.
The ministry estimates that about 400 cars of small or medium size can be transported in triple-stack container trains.
The decision to run triple-stack container trains was announced by railway minister Lalu Prasad in this year?s Rail Budget.
The move comes after the ministry found some success in running double-stack container trains on both diesel and electric routes.