Southern Railway has shown significant growth across all railway operations, achieving remarkable milestones in key performance indicators during the financial year 2023-24. Notably, it has recorded a Gross Revenue of Rs. 12020 Crores, reflecting its robust performance.
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Gross Earnings Witnesses Upswing:
Southern Railway posted an annual Gross revenue of Rs. 12020 Crores in FY 2023-24 which is highest ever so far with an increase of almost 10% over the previous financial year. The Annual Gross Revenue comprises originating passenger earnings of Rs. 7151 crores, freight earnings of Rs. 3674 crores and an amount of Rs. 570 crores and Rs. 624 crores towards other coaching earnings and sundry earnings respectively.
Premium Trains Introduced:
- During the year 2023-24, Southern Railway has introduced 8 new pairs of Vande Bharat train services viz., Chennai-Coimbatore- Chennai, Tirunelveli-Chennai- Tirunelveli, Vijayawada- Chennai- Vijayawada, Coimbatore- Bengaluru Cantt.- Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod- Thiruvananthapuram (Via Kottayam), Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod- Thiruvananthapuram (Via Alappuzha), Mangaluru-Madgaon- Mangaluru, and Chennai-Mysuru- Chennai.
- Later Thiruvananthapuram- Kasaragod (via Alappuzha) Vande Bharat services have been extended upto -Mangaluru Central. All these services have been widely welcomed by all passengers at large and witnessing a remarkable patronage.
Speed Enhancement Works:
With renewed impetus on Speed enhancement projects, Southern Railway has increased the sectional speed to 130 Kmph for 145 Route Kms between Arakkonam and Jolarpettai. The sectional speed has been enhanced to 110 kmph in a network spanning 1272 Route Kms. Significantly, 75 Permanent Speed restrictions have been removed. As a result, about 170 number of passenger carrying trains have been speeded up thus extending the benefit of reduced transit time to the passengers.
OSOP Stalls:
During FY 2024, Southern Railway has operationalized 263 “One Station One Product” (OSOP) stalls and it fetched a revenue of over Rs. 20 crores for the beneficiaries who operated these stalls. The objective of OSOP stalls is to popularise and encourage local business and supply chain. It aims to provide enhanced livelihood and skill development to artisans, craftsmen, potters, weavers, tribals etc.
Bharat Gaurav and Amrit Bharat Trains:
- During the FY 2024, 42 itineraries were operated by various registered service providers earning a revenue of Rs.34 crores for Southern Railway. Bharat Gaurav trains were introduced with the objective of promoting tourism by showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world.
- The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a major step towards improving the overall railway infrastructure, amenities and passenger experience at railway stations.
- In Southern Railway, a total of 116 stations have been identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
- This includes 75 stations in Tamil Nadu, 35 stations in Kerala, 3 stations in Puducherry (UT), 2 stations in Karnataka and one station in Andhra Pradesh jurisdiction of Southern Railway.
- During the year 2023-24, the work related to Amrit Bharat stations have witnessed significant progress.
Major Infrastructure and Electrification projects commissioned:
- According thrust on infrastructure development, during the year 2023-24, Doubling projects of Milavattan -Tuticorin (7.7 km), Tirunelveli – Melappalaiyam – (3.60 km), Aralvaymoli-Nagercoil Jn (12.87 km) sections have been commissioned.
- Marching ahead towards Mission 100% Electrification, a total of 191 Route Kms have been electrified during 2023-24. This includes the electrification projects of Shoranur-Nilambur (66 Km),), Bagavathipuram-Edaman (33 Km) , Madurai – Bodinayakkanur(90 km) and Mangaluru-Padil (2 km).
Southern Railway’s exemplary performance and transformative initiatives underscore its commitment to excellence and efficiency in railway operations, promising a brighter future for passengers and stakeholders alike.
Source: Southern Railway – Press Release | Images Credit (representational): Southern Railway
