WR keeps the wheels moving for supply of essential commoditie

Introduce 16 trips of three parcel express trains to various locations

During the lockdown period in the wake of COVID19, it is very important to transport essential items like medical supplies, medical equipment, food and others in small parcel sizes. To mitigate the difficulties to a certain extent, Western Railway has come forward and decided to open transportation of these essential items. Accordingly, time table of 3 such Parcel Express trains has been declared by Western Rly, making total 16 trips during the period from 31st March to 15th April, 2020.

As stated by Alok Kansal- General Manager of Western Rly, for more such Parcel Express trains interested parties may contact parcel offices and Divisions to register their indents. Movement will be by parcel trains point to point as per extent rules. WR has finalized the time table for 3 Parcel Express trains for commodities such as Milk Product, Edible Oil, Spices, Groceries and Biscuits as under :-

● Bandra Terminus – Ludhiana Parcel Special Rake

The Parcel Special Rake has been planned to run from Bandra Terminus in Mumbai, Maharashtra to Ludhiana in Punjab. This train will run thrice a week on the timetabled path. The trip of the train will depart from Bandra Terminus on 1st, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th& 13th April, 2020 at 20.00 hrs and will reach Ludhiana on the 3rd day I.e 3rd April, 2020 at 11.30 hrs and so on for subsequent trips, completing a journey of 1705 kms.

On its return journey, the train will leave from Ludhiana on 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 13th& 15th April, 2020 at 23.30 hrs and will reach Bandra Terminus on 3rd day I.e on 5th April, 2020 at 17.30 hrs and so on for subsequent trips. The train will halt at Vapi, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Jaipur, Delhi and Ambala stations in both directions.

For booking and any other queries in this regard interested traders may please contact Suresh Mishra – Bandra – 9892972171, Rambali -Vapi-7984600765, Ganesh Jadhav- Udhna/Surat-9724099958.

● Kankariya – Sankrail Goods Terminal Parcel Special Rake

The Parcel Special Rake has been planned to run from Kankariya in Gujarat to Sankrail in West Bengal. The train will depart from Kankariya on 31st March, 2020 at 23.45 hrs and will reach Sankrail Goods Terminal on 2nd April, 2020 at 20.00 hrs completing a journey of 2073 kms. On its return journey, the train will leave from Sankrail Goods Terminal on 4th April, 2020 at 22.30 hrs and will reach Kankariya on 6th April, 2020 at 18.15 hrs.

The train will halt at Anand, Vadodara, Surat, Paldhi, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Nagpur, Raipur, Bilaspur, Jharsuguda, Raurkela, Tata Nagar and Kharagpur stations in both directions. For booking and any other query intersted parties may please contact Ganesh Jadhav-Udhna/ Surat -9724099958.

● Karambeli – Changsari Parcel Special Rake

The next Parcel Special Rake has been planned to run from Karambeli in Gujarat to Changsari in Assam. The train will depart from Karambeli on 2nd April, 2020 at 18.00 hrs and will reach Changsari on 5th April, 2020 at 5.00 hrs. completing a journey of 2893 kms. On its return journey, the train will leave from Changsari on 6th April, 2020 at 12.00 hrs and will reach Karambeli on 8th April, 2020 at 21.30 hrs.

The train will halt at Valsad, Udhana, Jalgaon, Akola, Nagpur, Durg, Raipur, Bilaspur, Jharsuguda, Tata Nagar, Sankrail Goods Terminal, Dankuni, Malda Town and New Bongaigoan stations in both directions. For booking and any other queries interested traders may please contact Sanjay Kota- Karambeli – 8160209142, Sarkawala -Valsad – 9898848919 and Ganesh Jadhav- Udhna/ Surat -9724099958.

Few more suggested paths can be Ahmedabad to Darbhanga/ Muzaffarpur. These probable paths are under consideration and can be finalised subjected to local administration permits movement of trucks and labour handling at originating and terminating points. Talks with concerned traders are also going on in this regard.

Discussion have been done with M/s CTA Logistics, Western carriers, both Ahmedabad, AMUL products, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF) and Mint logistics Karambele, Vapi for loading of parcels for Time Tabled parcel trains.

During lock down period in the country Mechanical Carriage and Works Dept of Ratlam division has done exemplary work in making the 108 wagons Fit for loading and also carry out the Overhauling work of 14 wagons. In addition to it, for the unintertupted movement of Goods trains 16 trains have been examined during the complete lock down period with available, dedicated and committed manpower at Wagon Depot, Shambhupura in Ratlam division.

Despite cancellation of passenger services, the goods services hasn’t come to a total halt and the Railway is ensuring through all possibilities to maintain the supply of essential commodities across all parts of country by making sure that the movement of freight trains takes place so that coal reaches the power houses, food grains are available in the granaries and all essential commodities are available.

Here are some other efforts made by Western Railway during the lockdown period from 22nd to 29th March, 2020:

● A total of 422 rakes have been used to supply essential commodities such as POL (Petroleum, Oil & Lubricants), salt, cement, coal and containers were loaded amounting to 0.86 million tonnes.
● During the period 1115 freight trains were interchanged with other railways including 555 trains handed over and 560 trains had taken over at different interchange points.
● Despite shortage of labour, all efforts are being made to unload important stock.
● During this period, 6 Millennium Parcel rakes of Parcel Vans/Railway Milk Tankers (RMTs) have been sent to different parts of the country to cope the demands of essential items such as ,milk powder, liquid milk and other general consumer goods and 1 rake of dry grass:
● – Ex Dahanu Road to Bhimsen
● – Ex Kakariya to Bhimsen near Kanpur
● – Ex Palanpur to Hind Terminal (Palwal)
● – Ex Karambeli to New Guwahati

According to a press release issued by WR CPRO Ravinder Bhakar, despite facing total losses over Western Railway up to 29th March, 2020 has been pegged at Rs 178.53 Cr (inclusive of suburban+ non-suburban), Western Railway has also successfully refunded Rs. 131.43 crores against cancellation of tickets and in Mumbai Division itself refund of Rs. 62.11 crores has been made.

In another great initiative, Western Railway has decided to contribute to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund under the directives received from Railway Board. Every railway servant will make their contribution to the fund by donating their one day’s basic pay from the salary. It is also noteworthy to mention that suitable monitoring of all activities & arrangements are being carried out by the Principal Heads of Departments along with their teams to cope with the situation and to ensure smooth implementation of all plans.