WR achieves big figure of running more than 600 Parcel special trains

Western Railway’s parcel special trains are traversing across the country to keep the supply of essential commodities moving, even during the difficult time of the Covid pandemic. Inspite of various hurdles and labour constraints during the time of lockdown, Western Railway has crossed the big figure of 600 Parcel special trains by running total 616 Parcel special trains during lockdown. 

  • The revenue generated through this is about Rs 51.51 crore.
  • In continuation to this, o­n 20th October, 2020 three parcel special trains, including a milk rake left from various stations of WR. 
  • These included 2 parcel specials viz Bandra Terminus to Jammu Tawi and Porbandar to Shalimar. 
  • A milk special rake also left from Palanpur to Hind Terminal.
  • According to a press release issued byShri Sumit Thakur -Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly,since 23rd March to 19th Oct, 2020, commodities weighing above 1.53 lakh tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 616 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc.
  • The revenue generated through this transportation, has been approx. Rs 51.51 crore.
  • During this period, 106 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 80,700 tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons. 
  • Similarly, 458 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of almost 49 thousand tonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities. 
  • In addition to this, 52 indented rakes carrying more than 23 thousand tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization. 
  • During the lockdown period from 22nd March till 19th October, 2020, total 18,674 rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 39.73 million tonnes. 
  • 36,414 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 18,182 trains were handed over and 18,232 trains taken over at different interchange points.

Advance booking of parcel space:

With o­ne more customer friendly initiative, the Ministry of Railways recently permitted 120 days advance booking of parcel space in various SLRs. This was done with the aim of increasing freight traffic. The total revenue generated o­n Western Railway (WR) o­n account of advance booking of VP through E-commerce as o­n 5th Oct 2020, has been Rs 2.55 crore, which is the highest o­n Indian Railways.

  • According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur- Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, the advance booking of parcel space can be done in SLRs & Parcel Vans attached to passenger carrying trains and time-tabled Parcel Special trains. 
  • This scheme will enable major parcel loading parties to plan their logistics in a better manner. 
  • One of the features of this scheme is that advance booking of space is permitted 120 days in advance. 
  • This scheme is very customer friendly. In continuation to this, Mumbai Central Division clinched a deal by giving permission to the logistic partner of Amazon India to book indent VPU in Train No 02951.
  • The booking is for 113 days i.e from 13thOctober 2020 to 2nd February 2021. 
  • Transportation of 2712 tonnes of goods, over a period of 113 days will generate revenue of Rs 2 crore. 
  • The said booking by Mumbai Central Division is in addition to the advance booking of parcel space done by Ahmedabad Division recently. 
  • At Ahmedabad Division, logistic Partner of Amazon India booked o­ne VPH by Train No. 02833 for 18 trips & by Train No. 00913 for 19 trips i.e total 37 trips till 16.11.2020, totaling to 851 tonnes. 
  • One VPH for 3 trips (6/10, 8/10 & 10/10) was booked by Train No. 00913 with 69 Tonnes.

Source: Western Railway-Press Release