New Delhi: The Government of India announced on Friday that coal transportation through the rail-sea-rail (RSR) route has nearly doubled in FY24, reaching 54 million tonnes (MT), up from 28 MT in FY22. This significant growth highlights the success of the multi-modal transportation strategy aimed at meeting the increasing demand of power plants across the country.
Coal is transported through the RSR route to ensure an efficient supply to power plants. The process involves two phases of rail transport: first, from mines to unloading ports, and then from the subsequent loading ports to the power plants. This system improves logistical efficiencies while alleviating congestion on the all-rail route (ARR), reducing the carbon footprint of coal transportation.
In a statement, the Ministry of Coal highlighted the strides made in coordinating with the Railways to enhance the coal evacuation strategy. The ministry noted, “Over the last few years, the Ministry of Coal has made significant strides in utilizing the rail-sea-rail networks for the evacuation of coal. As a result, the coal movement has increased almost twofold, from 28 MT in FY22 to 54 MT in FY24, with a consistent upward trend.”
The use of the RSR system not only ensures the efficient movement of coal from mines to ports and to end users but also plays a key role in addressing the country’s growing energy demand. Furthermore, this method helps mitigate pressure on the all-rail routes, which often face congestion.
In a bid to further enhance the RSR coal evacuation process, Indian Railways announced in February 2025 that it would grant telescopic benefits in freight rates for coal movement to powerhouses from Coal India Ltd (CIL) and its subsidiaries. This decision is expected to boost the movement of coal through the RSR route and strengthen the overall coal supply chain.
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The coal ministry remains committed to improving the RSR coal evacuation strategy to consistently meet the country’s growing energy demands while promoting sustainability.
