![WR transported millets from Gujarat to Tamilnadu](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/640x430/filters:format(webp)/connect-gujarat-english/media/post_banners/51b76810826a92fe8ce2327cdc38b944d83773ac4ecbd83a85b04df9ddf2af54.webp)
Western Railway's Multi- disciplinary Business Development Units are constantly exploring new avenues to tap the freight traffic. In continuation to this, BDU of Vadodara Division recently transported Millets from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu.
New traffic of Millets was transported from Nadiad Goods shed in Gujarat to Pollachi in Tamil Nadu. The revenue generated through this traffic was Rs 32 lakh. From 1st April, 2021 to 6th July, 2021, Western Railway has transported commodities weighing almost 78 thousand tonnes through its various parcel special trains, which included agricultural produce, medicines, medical equipment, fish, milk etc. The revenue generated through this transportation, has been approx Rs. 26.54 crore. 49 Milk Special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of above 34 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons.
Similarly, 60 COVID-19 special parcel trains with a load of approx. 9700 tonnes were also run to transport essential commodities. In addition to this, 36 indented rakes carrying approx. 17700 tonnes were also run with 100% utilization. To help the farmers find new markets for their produce and also for its economical and fast transportation, 68 Kisan Rails with load of approx. 16000 tonnes have also been run during this period from various divisions.
During the period from 1st April to 6th July, 2021, total 92041 rakes of goods trains have been run by WR and carried 21.66 million tonnes of essential commodities. 21287 freight trains were interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 10634 trains were handed over and 10653 trains were taken over at different interchange points. Business Development Units (BDUs) are in constant contact with the existing and probable freight customers to encourage them to transport their goods through railways with the incentives introduced by the Railway Board for quick, reliable, economical & bulk transportation of their goods.
A crew rest room has been inaugurated at Kapadvanj on 6th July, 2021. Kapadvanj goods shed located on Nadiad – Modasa branch line, handles inward traffic of clinker and outward traffic of Bauxite. Due to non availability of crew rest room, minimum two sets of crew were required for handling each rake. The crew had to earlier be transported from Nadiad by taxi, which increased detention time. The running room at Kapadvanj houses a 5 bed crew resting facility. With this facility coming up at Kapadvanj, rake handling can now be done by one set of crew. This will enable faster rake turnaround time and improve the efficiency in the system.