Based on the idea, floated by Shri Alok Kansal- General Manager of Western Railway, after announcement of Unlock 1 by Govt. of India, a freight customer conference through video link, was held by Western Railway, on 6th June, 2020. The conference was presided by Shri Alok Kansal – General Manager of Western Rly with august presence of Shri R. K. Lal – Principal Chief Commercial Manager, Shri Shailendra Kumar – Principal Chief Operations Manager, Ms. Uma Ranade – Principal Financial Advisor and other Principal Heads Of Departments of Western Railway.
According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, all these higher officers addressed the participants of Webinar. Divisional Railway Managers of all the divisions along with Sr Divisional Commercial Managers and Sr Divisional Opertions Managers alongwith various freight customers also participated in the conference. The freight customers whole heartedly accepted the proposal of web participation and more than 40 representatives of various parties dealing with Railways participated in the Webinar, including major customers like Adani Port, Reliance Industies, IFFCO, DPT – Kandla Port, GNFC, ONGC, BPCL, IOC, Ultratech cement, Wonder cement, Birla Cement, CTA Logistics, KRCL, PRCL, BDRCL etc.
Welcome address of the webinar was given by Shri Uday Bobhate – Chief Commercial Manager (Freight Marketing) of WR. Various freight customers appreciated Western Railway’s endeavour of running freight trains during this Covid – 19 pandemic despite all odds and extending a supportive hand by providing various kinds of relaxations for easing out activities involved in transportation through freight trains. The customers representing were from distant places covering entire Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai, parts of Madhya Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan.
On this occasion, a brief presentation was given by Shri R. K. Lal – Principal Chief Commercial Manager of W. Rly, about the loading and earning scenario of Western Railway. He apprised the forum about the slow but steady growth now getting reflected in the month of May,2020 in comparison to April 2020. He assured to extend every possible help and requested the parties to offer traffic to Western Railway.
All the participating Customers appreciated the various relaxations given by Railways like non levy of ancillary charges, providing twice the free time for loading, free movement of empty containers and flats. They requested to extend the relaxation as the conditions have not normalized yet. The parties then apprised their Traffic projections for the year 2020-21 and also requested to provide assistance in resolving their issues related to transportations like rating competitive with road rates, timely availability of rakes, provision of two point rakes etc. All the queries of the customers were promptly with warmth were addressed during the conference under a very healthy atmosphere.
On this occasion, Shri Alok Kansal – General Manager of Western Railway, in his concluding speech, assured all the freight parties of fullest support of Western Railway team and requested the parties to approach higher authorities in case of any issue hindering them at any level for freight related issues. He said that any suggestions, which are directly related to enhancement of freight earnings are always welcomed and assured the parties of addressing them immediately, at appropriate level for decision. He requested freight parties to offer the traffic to Railways as per the projections given in the meeting, which will definitely help WR to surpass the previous year’s achievement of 77 Million Tonne of traffic and Rs. 10,000 Crore of Earning. He emphasized the need of such healthy interaction on time to time & advised that such coferences should also be continued in future. This webinar was attended by around 90 participants. Vote of thanks was given by Shri Prakash Chandrapal – Deputy Chief Commercial Manager (freight Marketing) of Western Rly.
