Western Railway‘s parcel special trains are traversing across the country to keep the supply of essential commodities moving, even during the difficult time of the Covid pandemic. Inspite of various hurdles and labour constraints during the time of lockdown, Western Railway has crossed the big figure of 700 Parcel special trains by running total 712 parcel special trains during lockdown.
- The revenue generated through this is about Rs 63.75 crore.
- In continuation to this, on 1st December, 2020 five parcel special trains, including a milk rake left from various stations of WR.
- These included 2 parcel specials viz Bandra Terminus to Jammu Tawi and Porbandar to Shalimar.
- An indent rake from Kankaria to Benapol. Kisan special from Laxmibai Nagar to New Guwahati and a milk special rake left from Palanpur to Hind Terminal.
- According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, since 23rd March to 30th Nov, 2020, commodities weighing approx. 1.88 lakh tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 712 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc.
- The revenue generated through this transportation, has been approx. Rs 63.75 crore. During this period, 127 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 96,715 tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons.
- Similarly, 513 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of more than 58 thousand tonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities.
- In addition to this, 71 indented rakes carrying approx. 32 thousand tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization. One kisan rail was also run.
- During the lockdown period from 22nd March till 30th November, 2020, total 23,053 rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 50.47 million tonnes.
- 46,006 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 23,024 trains were handed over and 22,982 trains taken over at different interchange points.
- Shri Thakur added that due to cancellation of tickets since 151 March, 2020 to 30th Nov, 2020, Western Railway has ensured to return a refund amount of about Rs.526 crore.
- It’s worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of Rs 259.12 crore.
- Till now, 81.87 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets across the entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
Recent Achievement:
Indian Railways is consistently striving hard to increase the loading volume & revenue. Working in this direction, Western Railway is also taking best possible efforts to optimize its freight business, thereby also keeping the supply of essential commodities open throughout the country. Essential commodities are being transported through its parcel special trains and goods trains.
- According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur- Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, since 22nd March, 2020, total 21,524 rakes of goods trains were loaded till 16th Nov, 2020 over Western Rly.
- Loading in the 21,524 rakes included various essential commodities such as:
- POL – 2262
- Fertilizers – 4328
- Salt – 1120
- Foodgrain – 203
- Cement -1937
- Coal – 821
- Containers – 9524
- General Goods – 98 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 42,883 Freight trains were interchanged with other Railways, including 21,420 trains handed over and 21,463 trains taken over at different interchange points of Western Railway.
- During the period, important inward rakes such as 2761 rakes of Jumbo, 1732 rakes of BOXN and 1193 rakes of BTPN were unloaded at various stations over Western Rly, despite shortage of labourers.
- Shri Thakur further stated that, in addition to the above goods traffic, since 23rd March to 1611 Nov, 2020, commodities weighing approx.1.77 lakh tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 681 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc.
- The earnings generated through this transportation, has been above Rs 60 crore. During this period, 120 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of about 89 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons.
- Similarly, 495 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of 56 thousand tonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities.
- In addition to this, 66 indented rakes carrying more than 29 thousand tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization.
- WR has scheduled to run various timetabled Parcel special trains during lockdown period to different parts of the country.
- Three Parcel Special trains, including a milk rake viz Bandra Terminus to Jammu Tawi, Porbandar to Shalimar and a milk special rake from Palanpur to Hind Terminal departed from WR on 17th Nov, 2020.
Source: Western Railway-Press Release | Image Credit: Western Railway
