Due to high fuel costs, state-run Indian Railways has raised the freight rates on a range of goods including cement, iron ore and coal.  The maximum freight rate hike of 7.7 per cent has been effected on transportation of coal and iron ore, while the rate on cement will go up by 3.7 per cent. The freight rates on limestone, manganese ore, bauxite and clinker have also been raised.  Indian Railways will earn an additional INR4bn (US$88m) for the financial year ending in March 2005 due to the freight rate hikes, said the ministry spokesman. Published under Cement News