With major contribution of 42% of IR’s total earnings
It’s a proud achievement for Western Railway
during such tough times when the country is on a lockdown due to the COVID-19.
WR proved its excellence by achieving highest earnings from its parcel special
trains among all zonal railways. With its best possible efforts it has been
able to serve the nation by ensuring the transportation of essential items like
milk, milk products, food, medical supplies, medical equipment across the
nation through its milk rakes and special parcel trains.
From the total earnings of Indian Railways during 10 days
period from 8th April to 17th April, 2020, of Rs 3.8 crore through its parcel
special trains, WR has contributed Rs 1.59 crore, which is the highest among
all zonal railways, and attributes to 42 percent of the total earnings.
According to a press release issued by WR CPRO Ravinder
Bhakar, WR’s team of officers and staff have played a big role in making
possible the run of the special parcel trains. From operations of the train to
loading/unloading and arranging for labourers, all the divisions deserve a big
pat on their back, especially Ahmedabad division for their transportation of
milk and milk products. Alok Kansal- General Manager of Western Rly has
appreciated & congratulated Principal Heads of concerned departments &
their teams for this remarkable achievement by WR.
Bhakar stated that WR has made available a dedicated Helpline
No 9004490982 which is manned 24×7 by WR staff for any queries regarding the
transportation of essential goods. An email id has also been created for the
same cmicccg@gmail.com. On 19th April, 2020, two more parcel special trains with
four trips, have been announced by WR, to run between Dewas – Jammu Tavi and
Okha – Trivandrum.
Details of these trains are as under :-
● Dewas – Jammu Tavi parcel special (2 trips)
Train No 00931 Dewas – Jammu Tavi parcel special will leave
Dewas on 22nd April, 2020 at 20.00 hrs and reach Jammu Tavi at 02.00 hrs on
24th April, 2020. Similarly, Train No 00932 Jammu Tavi – Dewas parcel special
will leave Jammu Tavi at 20.00 hrs on 24th April, 2020 and will reach Dewas at
21.30 hrs on 25th April, 2020. The train will halt at Nagda, Sawai Madhopur,
Jaipur, New Delhi and Chandigarh stations in both directions.
● Okha – Trivandrum parcel special train (2 trips)
Train No 00933 Okha – Trivandrum parcel special will leave
Okha on 20th April, 2020 at 13.10 hrs and reach Trivandrum at 12.00 on 22nd
April, 2020. Similarly, Train No 00934 parcel special will depart from
Trivandrum at 23.00 hrs on 22nd April, 2020 and reach Okha at 21.40 hrs on 24th
April, 2020. The train will halt at Jamnagar, Rajkot, Surendra Nagar,
Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vasai Rd., Panvel, Roha, Ratnagiri,
Kankavali, Madgaon, Mangalore Jn., Kannur, Calicut, Shoranur Jn., Thrisur,
Ernakulam Town, Kottayam and Kollam Jn. In both directions.
Bhakar stated that since 23rd March to 18th April, 2020,
thirteen milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than
9000 tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons generating revenue of Rs 1.58
crore. Similarly, 4 indented rakes carrying 1864 tonnes were run with 100%
utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 77 lakh.
In addition to this, 52 Covid-19 special parcel trains were
also run during this period to transport essential commodities, for which the
revenue earned was Rs 1.44 crore. Such loading was possible due to constant
efforts by WR to deliver its best. Wide publicity of WR’s parcel special trains
is being ensured by way of advertisements & news in newspapers, as well as
through social media and SMS, so that traders can book their parcels thereby
ensuring that there is no dearth of essentials required by the people. Even
during the loading/unloading work, proper norms of social distancing are being
observed and the labourers are being provided with hand sanitizers & other
necessary objects. As goodwill gesture, arrangements for food is also
made for the labourers at various places.
Bhakar stated that three parcel special trains left from WR
to various parts of the country on 19th April, 2020 viz. Mumbai Central –
Firozpur, Dadar – Bhuj and Karambeli – New Guwahati. During the lockdown period
from 22nd March to 18th April, 2020, total 1721 rakes of goods trains have been
used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 3.71 million tonnes.
3804 freight trains were interchanged with other railways, including 1935
trains handed over and 1869 trains taken over at different interchange points.
71 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. The total losses over Western Railway up to 18th April, 2020 have been
estimated as Rs 472.07 Cr (inclusive of suburban + non-suburban).
Inspite of this, Western Railway has ensured to refund Rs.
200.35 crore due to cancellation of tickets till now. It’s worth mentioning
that in this refund amount, Mumbai Division itself, has ensured refund of Rs.
97.79 crore. Till now, 29.91 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over
entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
Upto 18th April, 2020 more than 1.13 lakh masks and almost 10,000 liters of
sanitizers were made inhouse at various divisions and workshops of WR during
the lockdown period.