The Ministry of Railways has introduced the policy regarding Premium Indent on 11th December 2020 to facilitate freight customers.
Under this policy, if a customer places a request for Premium Indent, allotment of rakes will be given priority on two days as notified under Preferential Traffic Order issued by Traffic Transportation directorate of Railway Board from time to time, presently being Monday and Friday. However, on other days normal order of priority of indents will follow.
The salient features of the policy are given below-
- In sidings, the customer can indicate a date of supply of rakes and also indicate whether he will load if the rake is supplied after the due date on Normal tariff rate.
- The customer shall be required to pay 5% premium on normal freight which shall be deposited in advance.
- If the rake is supplied later than the indicated date on the indent, the premium paid will be adjusted against the normal freight.
- In the goods shed also, customers will be permitted to place premium indent. Customers will get priority for allocation on two days as notified under Preferential Traffic Order issued by Traffic Transportation directorate of Railway Board from time to time, presently being Monday and Friday.
- However, on other days normal order of priority of indents will follow.
- Premium Indent once placed cannot be withdrawn; withdrawal of the indent shall invite forfeiture of the premium paid.
- This premium indent policy will not be applicable to restricted destinations and destinations regulated by quota.
- This is an optional scheme.
Freight Loading Performance:
Freight figures continue to maintain the high momentum in terms of earnings and loading in the month of November 2020 for Indian Railways.
On mission mode, Indian Railways’ Freight loading for the month of November 2020 crossed last year’s loading and earnings for the same period.
- In the month of November 2020, Indian Railways loading was 109.68 million tonnes which is 9% higher compared to last year’s loading for the same period (100.96 million tonnes).
- In this period Indian Railways earned Rs.10657.66 Crores from freight loading which is also Rs. 449.79 Cr.(4%) higher compared to last year’s earnings for the same period (Rs. 10207.87 crores).
- In the month of November 2020, Indian Railways loading was 109.68 million tonnes which includes:
- 48.48 million tonnes of coal
- 13.77 million tonnes of iron ore
- 5.1 million tonnes of foodgrains
- 5.41 million tonnes of fertilizers
- 6.62 million tonnes of cement (excluding clinker)
- During this period, average wagon loading per day in November 2020 is 58,726 which is 4.6% higher than October, 2020 (56,128 wagons).
- Despite festival holidays and Cyclone Nivar affecting freight loading, Indian Railways continue to register impressive figures in freight loading in the last three months (in October 15%, in September 15%) suggesting steady economic recovery.
- It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/ discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make the 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 as an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.
Source: PIB-Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
