Despite the Covid challenges, Indian Railways closed the year with record freight loading and earnings. In the closing month of this fiscal year 2020-21, Indian Railways surpassed the last year’s loading that is 1224.45 compared to last year’s 1205.04 which shows the growth of 2%. Indian Railways earned 116634.9 from freight loading compared to last year’s earning 113477.9 which sees a growth of 3%.
- In the month of March 2021, Indian Railways’ loading was 122.19 million tonnes which has seen the growth of 24% compared to last year’s loading for the same month that was 98.76.
- In this month, Indian Railways earned Rs. 12137.22 Crores from freight loading which is also 24% higher compared to last year’s earnings for the same month (Rs. 9806.09 crores).
- On day to day basis, as on 31st March, 2021 (morning), the freight loading of Indian Railways was 3.24 million tonnes, which is 35% higher compared to last year’s loading for the same date (2.4 million tonnes).
- On this date, Indian Railways earned 364.92 crores which is also 53% higher compared to last year’s earnings for the same date (239.14 crores).
- Despite the many challenges put in by Covid, Indian Railways continued to register a steady growth in its freight loading and earning.
- Offering of concessions/discounts in Indian Railways are among the factors attributed to this achievement.
- It may be noted that improvements in freight movements will be institutionalized and incorporated in the upcoming zero based time table.
- Indian Railways turned this calamity into an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.
Recent Achievement:
Freight figures continue to maintain the high momentum in terms of loading, earning and speed in the month of February 2021 as well for Indian Railways.
- As on 28 February 2021 Indian Railways cumulative freight loading was 1102.17 million tonnes for this year which is higher compared to last year for the same period (1102.1 million tonnes).
- On a month to month basis, upto February 28, 2021, Indian Railways loading was 112.25 million tonnes, which is almost 10 % higher compared to loading up to February 28 of last year (102.21 million tonnes).
- On a day to day basis, on 28th February, 2021, the freight loading of Indian Railways was 5.23 million tonnes, which is 36% higher compared to last year’s loading for the same date (3.83 million tonnes).
- The average speed of Freight Trains in the month of February 2021 was 46.09 kmph which is more than double as compared to last year for the same month (23.01 kmph).
- On 28th February, the average speed of freight trains was 47.51 kmph compared to 23.17 kmph last year for the same date which is also more than double.
- Also in the month of February 2021 Indian Railways earned Rs. 11096.89 crores from freight loading which is 7.7% higher compared to last year’s earnings for the same period (Rs. 10305.02 crores).
- On 28th February 2021 Indian Railways earned Rs. 509.44 crores from freight loading which is 34% higher compared to last year’s earnings for the same day (Rs. 378.56 crores).
- It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive.
- Strong emergence of Business Development Units in Zones & Divisions, constant dialogue with the industry & logistics service providers, faster speed etc are adding to the robust growth of freight business for the Railways.
- It may be noted that Covid-19 has been used by Indian Railways as an opportunity to improve all-round efficiencies and performances.
Source: PIB-Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
