Shri Ashok Kumar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru Division, of South Western Railway on 24.11.2020 flagged off the first export-bound NMG (New Modified Goods) rake from Hosur Railway Station of the Division.
The rake consisting of 25 wagons loaded with 100 LCVs (Light Commercial Vehicles) called “Dost” manufactured by M/s. Ashok Leyland left for Benapole Railway Station in Bangladesh, which is about 2121 Kms from Hosur.
- This is the first NMG rake dispatched by South Western Railway to Bangladesh.
- Earlier, Bengaluru division had dispatched two export-bound NMG rakes to Nautanwa (Nepal) from Penukonda railway station.
- Overall, the division has loaded 128 NMG rakes during the current financial year.
- Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ashok Kumar Verma said that Transportation of automobiles by train is safer and faster compared to transportation by road.
- He also informed that it is also easy to monitor the movement of the consignment in trains with real time check in practice.
- Dr. A. N. Krishna Reddy, Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager, Shri Akhil M. Shastri, Sr. Divisional Operations Manager and other officers of Bengaluru Division of South Western Railway were present on the occasion.
- Shri Rajesh Mittal, Vice President and Head of Ashok Leyland, Hosur Unit along with Shri K Rajendra Kumar, Head of LCV Operations and Shri Senthil, Manager Logistics from M/s. Ashok Leyland were also present during flagging off event.
- The LCVs were loaded by M/s. IVC Logistics Ltd, who are logistic partners for Railways and M/s. Ashok Leyland.
- Bengaluru Division which was mainly transporting raw materials and essential commodities took to loading of automobiles for the first time when it transported 175 tractors from Doddaballapur Railway Station to Phuleria in Rajasthan on 29.04.2020.
- During, 2020-21, From Hosur till date 5 NMG rakes have been loaded.
- Apart from the rake that left for Bangladesh today, 5528 two-wheelers have been sent in 4 rakes to Mandideep in Madhya Pradesh.
- During the current year, 65 rakes of automobiles manufactured by M/s. TAFE, mainly tractors have been loaded by Train from Doddaballapur Railway Station near Bengaluru. During current year, 1700 Tillers and 10455 have been transported till date from Doddaballapur.
- To places like Kanakapura and Bhagat ki Kothi in Rajasthan, Kankaria in Gujarat, Changasari in Assam and Bhakshi ka Talab in Uttar Pradesh.
- Till date a total of 5600 cars have been transported to Farukh Nagar in Haryana and Nautanwa in Uttar Pradesh, from Penukonda in 55 rakes.
- Railways have set up a siding at Penukonda exclusively for transport of cars by M/s. KIA Motors.
- Each NMG rake normally carries 100 cars.
- 1150 tractors and 750 two-wheelers in 3 rakes have been dispatched from Malur to Mandideep.
The recent policies such as two points unloading of NMG rakes, Exemption of Terminal charges for automobiles have boosted the loading of Automobiles by India in Railways. The current trend indicates that Railways have set to capture 20% of modal share in automobile loading during 2020-21.
Recent Achievement:
On two consecutive days, the South Western Railway, Hubballi Division has loaded maize from Bagalkot and Vijayapura to Darshana in Bangladesh. on 20.11.2020, 2477 tonnes of Maize were loaded in 42 BCN wagons from Bagalkot. On 21.11.2020, 2484 tonnes of Maize were loaded in 42 BCN wagons from Vijayapura.
- This has opened up new avenue for export of agricultural produce from this part of the region.
- It has helped the farmers and merchants to market their produce beyond the country border.
- The freight transportation from Bagalkot and Vijayapura to Darshana in Bangladesh has helped the railways in earning a revenue of Rs. 74.07 lakh and Rs. 78.63 lakh respectively.
- However, the cost of transportation by Railways is very cheap and economical as compared to other modes of transport.
- Shri Ajay Kumar Singh, General Manager, SWR has appreciated the marketing efforts and initiative of Officers and staff of Hubballi Division led by Shri Arvind Malkhede, Divisional Railway Manager, which has mutually benefited both customers and Railways.
- He advised the Rail Users especially the farmers and Merchants handling transportation of agricultural produce and other essential commodities to utilise Railways for easy and hassle-free transportation of their goods.
- Railway is the fastest, safest and cheapest mode of transport, he added.
Source: South Western Railway-Press Release
