WR to run one more parcel train between Okha and Changsari in Assam

Western Railway’s Parcel Special trains are continuously on the move in the wake of COVID19 for transporting most essential items like medical equipment, medicines, food grains across the nation. It also ensure the supply of milk and milk products to different parts of the country through its milk special trains.

In continuation to this, train No 00949/00950 Okha – Guwahati – Okha was earlier scheduled to run upto Guwahati. But due to the complete lockdown at Kamrup in Assam, the train now will run upto Changsari in Assam and also will will start from Changsari. It is noteworthy to state that inspite of all such hurdles, WR is tweaking their timetable and making all efforts to ensure that essential commodities are being transported.

According to a press release issued by Western Railway, Train No 00949 Okha – Changsari parcel special train will depart from Okha on 8th & 12th July, 2020 at 07.15 hrs & will reach Changsari on the third day at 16.00 hrs. Similarly, Changsari – Okha parcel special train will leave Changsari at 17.00 hrs on 11th & 15th July, 2020 and will reach Okha at 01.10 hrs on the fourth day. The train will halt at Jamnagar, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Ahmedabad, Anand, Chhayapuri, Ratlam, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Bayana, Agra Fort, Tundla, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn, Patliputra, Muzaffarpur Jn, Katihar and New Bongaigaon stations in both directions.

Since 22nd March till 6th July, 2020, total 8436 rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 17.29 million tonnes. 16,603 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 8311 trains were handed over and 8292 trains taken over at different interchange points. 386 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.

On 7th July, 2020, one parcel special train left from Dewas to New Delhi. It is worth mentioning that, during the lockdown period, since 23rd March to 6th July, 2020, commodities weighing more than 72 thousand tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 384 parcel special trains, which included mainly agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk and others. The earnings generated through this transportation, has been more than Rs 23 crore. During this period, fifty four milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 40 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 6.99 crore.

Similarly, 320 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of approx. 27 thousand tonnes were also run to transport essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 13.88 crore. In addition to this, 10 indented rakes carrying 4355 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 2.16 crore.

The total loss of earnings over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus lockdown, has been Rs 1621.90 crore, which includes Rs 236.71 crore for suburban section and Rs 1385.19 crore for non-suburban. Inspite of this, resulting to cancellation of tickets till now, Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount of Rs. 386.05 crore. It’s worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of Rs 183.57 crore. Till now 59.25 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.