With Reforms, Railways Carries 170 Per Cent More Cement in Last Four Months; Eyes Fly Ash Market Now

• Indian Railways logged a 170% rise in cement movement in the four months preceding May 2026, attributed to a package of freight reforms launched in November 2025.
• Reforms centre on bulk cement tank containers ("Make in India" wagons), rationalised freight rate, and a Policy for Bulk Cement Terminals.
• Railways now targets the fly ash transportation market — only ~13 MT of ~300 MT produced annually moves by rail.
• UPSC relevance: intersects freight logistics, infrastructure pricing reform, waste-to-wealth (fly ash), modal share shift, and emissions reduction.