The fertilizer Ministry has put distance limit on movement of fertilizers from ports and plants in a bid to reduce congestion in railway transportation and to lessen freight subsidy. That is to say, the companies cannot carry fertilizers beyond 1,400 km.
India imports six-to seven million tonnes of fertilizers per annum.
A source close to the ministry said fertilizer manufacturers and importers would have to stick to the distance limit and thus forego freedom of moving fertilizers anywhere they wanted.
The ministry has identified over a dozen ports from where fertilizers can be transported to the areas falling within the distance limit.
Experts say the move is prompted by laudable calculations.