WR transported 17.11 Million tonnes through 8359 rakes of goods trains during lockdown

Despite complete lockdown imposed from 22nd March, 2020 and the current partial lockdown, Western Railway has trasported essential commodities to various parts of the country.

WR load 8359 rakes of goods trains till 5th July, 2020, including various essential commodities such as POL – 914, Fertilizers – 1301, Salt – 470, Foodgrain-88, Cement – 569, Coal – 328, Containers – 4130  & General Goods – 40 rakes, amounting to 17.11 Million Tonnes to different states of the country, including North East region.

 In addition to this 381  rakes of Millennium Parcel Van and Milk Tank Wagons containing various essential commodities such as medicine, medical kits, frozen food, milk powder and liquid milk were loaded to Northern & North East region.

Total 16429 Freight trains were interchanged with other Railways including 8226  trains handed over and 8203  trains taken over at different interchange points of Western Railway. During the period, important inward rakes such as 1094 rakes of Jumbo, 591  rakes of BOXN and 479 rakes of BTPN were unloaded at various stations over Western Rly   despite shortage of labourers.

According to a press release issued by Western Rly, since 23rd March to 5th July, 2020, commodities weighing more than 70 thousand tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 379 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk and others.

 The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx Rs 22.38 crore. During this period, 53 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of approx. 40 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 6.86 crore.

Similarly, 318 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of more than 27 thousand tonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 13.77 crore. In addition to this, 8 indented rakes carrying 3534 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 1.76 crore.

WR has scheduled to run various timetabled Parcel special trains during lockdown period to different parts of the country. Out of these, five Parcel Special trains, including a milk rake  departed from various stations of WR like Bandra Terminus – Ludhiana, Porbandar – Shalimar, Palanpur – Cuttack and Kankaria – Khurda Rd. and a special milk rake departed from Palanpur to Hind Terminal  on 6th July, 2020. In continuation to this, Train No 00949/00950 parcel special train which runs between Okha – Guwahati as notified earlier, will now have additional halt at Patliputra station in both directions, as per commercial demand.

LOSS OF PASSENGER EARNINGS DUE TO LOCKDOWN

The total loss of earnings over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus, has been over Rs 1608 crore, which includes Rs 234.53 crore for suburban section and Rs 1373.89 crore for non-suburban. In spite of this, resulting to cancellation of tickets till now, Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount of Rs. 384.98 crore.

It’s worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of more than Rs 182.97 crore. Till now, 59.08 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.