During the severe crisis due to Coronavirus, Western Railway is ensuring its best possible efforts, that there is no break in supply of essential commodities and hence its parcel special trains are traversing across the country, under it’s successful MISSION ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES. Since the time of lockdown to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, Western Railway has run various parcel special trains to different parts of the country under this important & continuous mission. Though, this has not been an easy task, WR has kept its commitment towards the nation at its best. In continuation to this mission, on 8th June, 2020, total 4 Parcel special trains departed from Western Rly to different parts of the country to ensure suitable transportation of essential commodities.
Commodities weighing approx. 52 thousand tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 316 parcel special trains, which included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc. The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx Rs 16.68 crore. During this period, thirty nine milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of approx 29 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 4.97 crore. Similarly, 272 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of more than 20 thousand tonnes were also run to transport essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 10.64 crore. In addition to this, 5 indented rakes carrying 2378 tonnes were also run with 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 1.07 crore.
Four parcel special trains left from WR, on 8th June, 2020, including a milk special train from Palanpur to Hind Terminal alongwith 3 parcel special trains between Bandra Terminus – Okha, Okha – Bandra Terminus and Bandra Terminus – Ludhiana. During the lockdown period from 22nd March till 7th June, 2020, total 5722 rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 11.30 million tonnes. 11,260 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 5,664 trains were handed over and 5,596 trains taken over at different interchange points. 317 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.
LOSS OF PASSENGER EARNINGS DUE TO LOCKDOWN
The total loss of earnings over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus, has been over Rs 1220 crore, which includes Rs 173.03 crore for suburban section and Rs 1047.22 crore for non-suburban. Inspite of this, resulting to cancellation of tickets till now, Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount of Rs. 318.64 crore. It’s worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of Rs 148.93 crore. Till now, 48.81 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
