In spite of toughest challenges of transport and labour during complete lockdown and the current scenario, Western Railway has continued with its loading activities. Since 22nd March, 2020, 9624 rakes of goods trains were loaded till 19th July, 2020, while the earnings from the loading of goods traffic over Western Railway, has been more than Rs 2482 crore.
- Totaling to19.51 Million Tonnes, loading in the 9624 rakes included various essential commodities such as:
- POL – 1044
- Fertilizers – 1573
- Salt – 527
- Foodgrain- 98
- Cement – 720
- Coal – 385
- Containers – 4617
- General Goods – 46 rakes
- In addition to this, Millennium parcel rakes, including milk rakes carrying essential commodities such as medicine, frozen food, milk powder,liquid milk and general consumer goods were also transported, mainly to Northern & North East regions.
- Total 18871 Freight trains were interchanged with other Railways, including 9427 trains handed over and 9444 trains taken over at different interchange points of Western Railway.
- During the period, important inward rakes such as 1255 rakes of Jumbo, 658 rakes of BOXN and 539 rakes of BTPN were unloaded at various stations over Western Rly,despite shortage of labourers.
- According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur- Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, in addition to above goods traffic, since 23rd March to 19th July, 2020, commodities weighing almost 80 thousand tonnes have been transported by Western Railway through its 409 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc.
- The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx Rs 25.26 crore. During this period, 60 milk special trains were run by Western Railway, with a load of more than 45 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 7.80 crore.
- Similarly, 337 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of more than 29 thousand tonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was above Rs 14.88 crore.
- In addition to this, 12 indented rakes carrying 5168 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 2.58 crore.
- Western Railway has scheduled to run various timetabled Parcel special trains during lockdown period to different parts of the country.
- Out of these, three Parcel Special trains, including a milk rake departed from WR viz. Bandra Terminus – Jammu Tawi, Porbandar – Shalimarand a special milk rake departed from Palanpur to Hind Terminal on 20th July, 2020.
- Meanwhile, as per an important decision, due to unforeseen circumstances train No 00931 Dewas – Lucknow parcel special train, journey commencing on 21st July, 2020 has been cancelled.
Source: Western Railway-Press Release| Image Credit (representational): South Eastern Railway
