How do railways handle cargo transport and logistics?

Railways are an important mode of transportation for cargo, especially for long distances. The railway system is divided into various zones and divisions to manage the cargo transportation operations. The Indian Railways has a dedicated freight department that manages the cargo transportation, which is responsible for the movement of both bulk and containerized cargo.

There are different types of wagons used for transporting goods by rail, such as open wagons, covered wagons, and flat wagons. The choice of the wagon depends on the nature and volume of the cargo.

The railways have a well-established logistics network to manage the transportation of cargo from the origin to the destination. The railway stations have goods sheds, which are equipped with necessary facilities like cranes, handling equipment, and storage yards to handle the cargo. The railway also provides door-to-door logistics services for the movement of cargo, which includes pickup and delivery of goods.

The railways also offer value-added services like warehousing, freight consolidation, and custom clearance services for its customers. The railways have tie-ups with various logistics companies to provide end-to-end logistics solutions for the customers.