Central Railway and Western Railway, two Mumbai based zones of the Indian Railways, have handled almost 25 million tons of goods in the lockdown period so far.
Central Railway handled 11.4 million tons of freight using 2.18 lakh wagons. Goods loaded include coal, petroleum, iron, steel, cement, fertilizers and essential food supplies.
Central Railway also operated parcel special trains during the lockdown. These trains dispatched 12.6 thousand tons of goods to various locations.
Western Railway handled 13 million tons of freight through 6,437 rakes over this period. The zone transported 57,500 tons of goods through 338 special parcel trains during the lockdown. These trains helped supply essential commodities to various parts of the country.
Central Railway Press Release on Goods Transport
CR Transports 11.46 Million Tonnes of Goods through 2.18 lakh wagons during Lockdown period
Central Railway in its efforts to fight against COVID19 pandemic playing a vital role in all aspects. Since nationwide lockdown-1 Railways have continued to run freight and parcel traffic to maintain the supply chain.
During the lockdown period when everyone was confined to their homes with the threat of CoronaVirus pandemic, Central Railway carried 11.46 million tonnes of goods through 2.18 lakh wagons which includes Coal, Food Grains, Sugar, Petroleum products, Fertilizers, Containers, Iron and Steel, Cement, Onions and other miscellaneous goods.
Central Railway alone carried 87,559 wagons of Coal to various power plants to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity during this coronavirus threat. Also carried 2,577 wagons of Food grains and Sugar to maintain the timely distribution of food and supplies to all; 8,194 wagons of fertilizers and 2,093 wagons of Onions for the benefit of farmers, 21,860 Tank wagons of Petroleum products for smooth supply of fuel to all stakeholders; 4,600 wagons of Iron and Steel to run the industries, 69,588 Container wagons and about 9,211 wagons of other miscellaneous products.
During this period of lockdown about 2.22 lakh wagons unloaded on Central Railway jurisdiction including its all 5 divisions.
To maintain the supply chain of essential commodities Central Railway has also decided to run special parcel trains. During this lockdown period Central Railway has dispatched 12,625 Tonnes of essential commodities including Medicines/pharma products, Food /perishable items, E-commerce products.
Western Railway Press Release on Goods Transport
Despite the partial lockdown, Western Railway’s Parcel special trains have continued to transport all types of essential material to various parts of the country, especially medicines & medical goods as a prime need in present scenario.
In continuation to this, on 16th June 2020, three parcel special trains, including a milk rake left from WR. One parcel special train left from Bandra Terminus to Ludhiana and the other from Dewas to Jabalpur.
A milk rake also left from Palanpur to Hind Terminal. Meanwhile, Western Railway has transported till now, various essential commodities weighing more than 13 million tonnes by its 6437 rakes of goods trains, even during the difficult time of lockdown.
According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, since 23rd March to 15th June, 2020, commodities weighing more than 57,500 tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 338 parcel special trains, which included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc. The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx Rs 18.44 crore. During this period, forty three milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 32 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 5.51 crore. Similarly, 290 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of more than 23 thousand tonnes were also run to transport essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 11.85 crore. In addition to this, 5 indented rakes carrying 2378 tonnes were also run with 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 1.07 crore. He apprised that during the lockdown period from 22nd March till 15th June, 2020, total 6437 rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 13.02 million tonnes. 12,767 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 6,398 trains were handed over and 6,369 trains taken over at different interchange points. 339 Millennium Parcel rakes of Parcel Vans / Railway Milk Tankers (RMTs) have been sent to different parts of the country to supply as per the demands of essential items such as milk powder, liquid milk and other general consumer goods.
LOSS OF PASSENGER EARNINGS DUE TO LOCKDOWN
Shri Bhakar stated that the total loss of earnings over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus, has been over Rs 1331 crore, which includes Rs 190.63 crore for suburban section and Rs 1140.54 crore for non-suburban. Inspite of this, resulting to cancellation of tickets till now, Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount of Rs. 342.03 crore. It’s worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of more than Rs 159.90 crore. Till now, 52.40 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.