South Eastern Railway (SER), in the month of October, 2020 has loaded 16.48 million tonnes of freight as against 14.00 million tonnes loaded in October, 2019 registering a growth of 17.71%. With this loading performance, SER has also surpassed the target of 14.65 million tonnes of freight loading fixed for the month of October 2020 by loading 1.83 million tonnes more than the target.
- The Covid-19 pandemic affected the freight loading performance of South Eastern Railway during the first quarter of the current financial year.
- In spite of nationwide lockdown, SER has continued with the freight transportation to keep the supply chain steady. With gradual improvement in overall situation, freight service of SER has bounced back, crossing the loading target fixed by Railway Board.
- The main commodities of freight loading of SER were Iron Ore, Coal, Pig Iron & Finished Steel, Cement, Food Grains, Fertiliser etc.
- Revenue generation from freight loading in October of current financial year (2020-21) has been Rs 1404.24 crores as against Rs 1190.65 crores in October of last fiscal registering a growth of 17.94%.
- A number of concession/discount is being given by SER to make freight movement attractive through railways.
- With a view to attract new business, senior officers of SER have been regularly holding meeting with representative of different industries and freight customers.
- The formation of Business Development Units at Zonal and Divisional levels and increase in speed of freight trains have also contributed to the growth of freight loading.
IR maintains high momentum in earnings and freight loading:
Freight figures continue to maintain the high momentum in terms of earnings and loading in the month of October 2020 for Indian Railways.
On mission mode, Indian Railways’ Freight loading for the month of October 2020 crossed last year’s loading and earnings for the same period.
- In the month of October 2020, Indian Railways loading was 108.16 million tonnes which is 15% higher compare to last year’s loading for the same period (93.75 million tonnes).
- In this period Indian Railways earned Rs. 10405.12 Crores from freight loading which is also Rs. 868.90 Cr.(9%) higher compare to last year’s earnings for the same period (Rs. 9536.22 crores).
- In the month of October 2020 Indian Railways loading was 108.16 million tonnes which includes 46.97 million tonnes of coal, 14.68 million tonnes of iron ore, 5.03 million tonnes of foodgrains, 5.93 million tonnes of fertilizers and 6.62 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.
- Also, to attract new business and incentivise other existing clients, Ministry of Railways has held meetings with top leadership of iron & steel, cement, power, coal, automobiles and logistics service providers.
- Also, Business Development units at Zonal & Divisional levels and near doubling of freight speed is contributing to sustainable growth momentum inspite of blocked freight services in Punjab.
- Covid-19 has been used by Indian Railways an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.
Source: South Eastern Railway-Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
