This decrease in coal imports, particularly evident in the thermal coal sector, comes in response to the steep increase in seaborne prices for low and mid-CV thermal coal.
The dependence on coal freight might prove to be a big risk for the railways in the long run. Containerised transportation can play a role in expanding railways freight basket. It will also help move freight from road to rail, decongest roads, and reduce pollution. However, industry insiders say rail container transportation is yet to see a major policy push.