In a bid to give boost to freight traffic, Western Rly had set up multi-disciplinary Business Development Units (BDU) at the zonal level as well as at all its six divisions. These BDU’s target is to improve business prospect in freight marketing by incorporating new ideas and initiatives. Multi-disciplinary Business development units which has been set up by WR aims at doubling the freight carried by railways by 2024 by attracting additional traffic of non-bulk traditional commodities hitherto moved by road. In continuation to this, the first tangible success of BDU was achieved by Bhavnagar division of Western Rly. Constant marketing efforts and interactions by this BDU with APMCs & onion merchants located in Dhoraji, Upleta and Gondal area yielded success with first ever onion rake loading from Dhoraji to Bangladesh (Darshana) on 3rd August, 2020.
According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur- Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, The distance from Dhoraji to Darshana is 2437 kms. Dhoraji station was made fit for loading by undertaking some earthwork as suggested by team of Operating, commercial and engineering supervisors and also inputs from loading party in a short time. Dhoraji station got opened for loading in least possible time. Advance Rate Notification was issued on 01/8/2020, indent was registered on 02/8/2020 for Darshana (Bangladesh) & rake has been supplied on 03/8/2020 and the loading got underway. It is worth mentioning that this is a new traffic for Bhavnagar division, generating revenue of about Rs 46 Lakhs and around 3-4 rakes are likely to be loaded in this month.
Shri Thakur added that, since 22nd March, 2020, total 10,963 rakes of goods trains were loaded till 2nd Aug, 2020. Loading in these 10,963 rakes included various essential commodities such as POL – 1172, Fertilizers – 1886, Salt – 593, Foodgrain- 110, Cement – 860, Coal – 429, Containers – 5138 & General Goods – 51 rakes, totaling to 22.45 Million Tonnes. In addition to this, Millennium parcel rakes, including milk rakes carrying essential commodities such as medicine, frozen food, milk powder, liquid milk and general consumer goods were also transported, mainly to Northern & North East regions. Total 21,520 Freight trains were interchanged with other Railways, including 10,741 trains handed over and 10,779 trains taken over at different interchange points of Western Railway. During the period, important inward rakes such as 1430 rakes of Jumbo, 702 rakes of BOXN and 606 rakes of BTPN were unloaded at various stations over Western Rly, despite shortage of labourers.
Shri Thakur further stated that, in addition to above goods traffic, since 23rd March to 2nd Aug, 2020, commodities weighing more than 89,700 tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 439 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc. The revenue generated through this transportation, has been Rs 28.52 crore. During this period, 67 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 50 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx. Rs 8.74 crore. Similarly, 355 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of more than 31 thousand tonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was about Rs 15.94 crore. In addition to this, 17 indented rakes carrying 7444 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of approx. Rs 3.84 crore. WR has scheduled to run various time tabled Parcel special trains during lockdown period to different parts of the country. Out of these, three Parcel Special trains departed from WR on 3rd August, 2020, including a milk rake viz. Bandra Terminus to Jammu Tawi and Porbandar to Shalimar. One milk rake left from Palanpur to Hind Terminal.
LOSS OF PASSENGER EARNINGS DUE TO LOCKDOWN
The total loss of revenue over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus, has been approx. Rs 1986 crore, which includes about Rs 296 crore for suburban section and Rs 1690 crore for non-suburban. In spite of this, resulting to cancellation of tickets since 1st March, 2020 till 2nd Aug, 2020, Western Railway has ensured to refund Rs. 408.84 crore. It’s worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of more than Rs 196.24 crore. Till now, 62.90 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
Repot By Vipul Barad Bhavnagar
