Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal met who of the Automobile Industry leaders to give boost to Automobile loading through Railways.
Representatives of SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers), Tata Motors, Hyundai Motors, Ford Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Honda India, and Maruti Suzuki Ltd, The Automobile Freight Train Operators (AFTOs), Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), who were all part of the meeting, lauded the initiative and committed to work in partnership with Indian Railways to facilitate transportation of automobiles through Railways.
- Indian Railways is attaining new heights in transportation of automobiles.
- The total loading of automobiles through Railway was only 429 rakes in 2013-14, which has increased to 1,595 rakes 2019-20.
- And in the first six months of the current year (Apr to Sep), Indian Railway has loaded 836 rakes of automobiles against 731 rakes in the previous year (despite almost negligible loading in the first two months).
- Railways are aiming to achieve a modal share of 20% by the end of 2021-22, and a modal share of 30% by 2023-24.
- The participants in the interaction were informed about the steps taken by Railways to promote loading of automobiles, which has led to this quantum jump – and were asked to bring more loading to Rail.
Steps taken to facilitate Automobile loading:
- Haulage Charges for BCACBM rakes have not been revised since May 2013.
- Freight for NMGs has not been revised since May 2018.
- Increase in the number of NMG rakes – from 30 (on 1st April) to 42.
- Two-destination loading permitted in NMG rakes.
- Export of Automobiles permitted:
- Traffic to Bangladesh started in NMG rakes.
- Traffic to Nepal started, via Nautanva terminal (NE Railway).
- 7 new terminals opened for Automobile loading Chitpur (ER); Penukonda (SWR).
- Nasrala (NR); Nautanva (NER) – for traffic to Nepal; Salchapara, Furkating, & New Tinsukia (all NFR).
- Now approx. 52 Railway terminals available.
- All Private Sidings, PFTs, and ICDs can handle Automobile traffic.
Representatives of the industry were all praise for the Railways for the help and support being extended to them – and confirmed that efforts will be on to bring more and more loading towards Railway.
- Participants were informed that more terminals are being opened up for Automobile traffic (as per demands of the industry) Charodi (WR), Bakshi Ka Talab (NER), Mesra (ECR).
- Also, export to Bangladesh in BCACBM rakes being planned in coordination with Bangladesh Railway.
- New taller design of auto-carrier wagons (using the envelope of Double Stack Dwarf Containers) being developed by RDSO in consultation with the industry.
- Participants were assured that all possible help will be extended to them, and all their concerns and issues will be addressed on priority.
Recent Progress:
Freight figures continue to impress and move on much higher trajectory compared to last year in terms of earnings and loading in the first week of October for Railway.
On mission mode, Indian Railways Freight loading for the month of October 2020 till 08th October 2020 crossed last year’s loading and earnings for the same period.
- In the month of October 2020, till 08th October, Indian Railways loading was 26.14 million tonnes which is 18% higher compare to last year’s loading for the same period (22.1 million tonnes).
- In this period Indian Railways earned Rs. 2477.07 Crores from freight loading which is also Rs. 250.71 Cr. higher compare to last year’s earnings for the same period (Rs. 2226.36 crores).
- In the month of October till 08th October 2020 Indian Railways loading was 26.14 million tonnes which includes 11.47 million tonnes of coal, 3.44 million tonnes of iron ore, 1.28 million tonnes of foodgrains, 1.5 million tonnes of fertilizers and 1.56 million tonnes of cement (excluding clinker).
- It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/ discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive.
- It may be noted that improvements in freight movements will be institutionalized and incorporated in the upcoming zero based time table.
- Covid-19 has been used by Indian Railways an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.
Source: PIB-Press Release | Image Credit: MoR
