The country is facing difficult times due to the pandemic corornavirus affecting lives all around. In spite of toughest challenges of transport and labour during complete lockdown and the current scenario, Western Railway has continued with its loading activities. Since 22nd March, 2020, 9624 rakes of goods trains were loaded till 19th July, 2020, while the earnings from the loading of goods traffic over WR, has been more than Rs 2482 crore. Loading in the 9624 rakes included various essential commodities such as POL – 1044, Fertilizers – 1573, Salt – 527, Foodgrain- 98, Cement – 720, Coal – 385, Containers – 4617 & General Goods – 46 rakes, totaling to 19.51 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 18871 Freight trains were interchanged with other Railways, including 9427 trains handed over and 9444 trains taken over at different interchange points of Western Railway. During the period, important inward rakes such as 1255 rakes of Jumbo, 658 rakes of BOXN and 539 rakes of BTPN were unloaded at various stations over Western Rly, despite shortage of labourers.
In addition to above goods traffic, since 23rd March to 19th July, 2020, commodities weighing almost 80 thousand tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 409 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc. The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx Rs 25.26 crore. During this period, 60 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 45 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 7.80 crore. Similarly, 337 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of more than 29 thousand tonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was above Rs 14.88 crore. In addition to this, 12 indented rakes carrying 5168 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 2.58 crore. WR has scheduled to run various timetabled Parcel special trains during lockdown period to different parts of the country. Out of these, three Parcel Special trains, including a milk rake departed from WR viz. Bandra Terminus – Jammu Tawi, Porbandar – Shalimar and a special milk rake departed from Palanpur to Hind Terminal on 20th July, 2020. Meanwhile, as per an important decision, due to unforeseen circumstances train No 00931 Dewas – Lucknow parcel special train, journey commencing on 21st July, 2020 has been cancelled.
LOSS OF PASSENGER EARNINGS DUE TO LOCKDOWN
The total loss of earnings over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus, has been over Rs 1797 crore, which includes Rs 265 crore for suburban section and Rs 1532 crore for non-suburban. In spite of this, resulting to cancellation of tickets since 1st March, 2020 till 13th July, 2020, Western Railway has ensured to refund Rs. 398.79 crore. It’s worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of more than Rs 190.64 crore. Till now, 61.27 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
