Due to the Cororna virus pandemic, India along with the rest of the world is going through a very difficult time. To control the spreading of the virus all passenger trains were stopped since 22nd March 2020 and a complete nationwide lockdown was announced in India. Gradually, Shramik special trains were introduced to carry the migrant labourers and their families to their hometowns. Later, for the convenience of passengers, Indian Railways decided to restore passenger services in a phased manner with 15 pairs of Rajdhani type special trains from 12th May, 2020 & 100 pairs of special trains from 1st June, 2020. These were special trains and services of all other regular trains were cancelled. Tickets booked through IRCTC website for the regular trains were cancelled online and amount credited accordingly. Whereas, for passengers who had booked their tickets through PRS counters, selected nominated stations were restarted for cancellations w.e.f 27th May, 2020. It is worth mentioning that passengers can avail the refund within 180 days from the date of journey. The passengers are being given full refund without deduction of any cancellation charges. Also this 180 days leeway is being given so as passengers do not rush for refund against the cancelled trains and to avoid overcrowding by following social distancing norms and health protocols considering the present scenario.
According to a press release issued by Western Railway, the total loss of earnings over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus, has been Rs 1689.30 crore, which includes Rs 247.61 crore for suburban section and about Rs 1441.69 crore for non-suburban. Inspite of the losses faced by the railways, the passengers are being given a full refund, thereby reducing their hardships. Due to cancellation of tickets since 1st March, 2020 to 11th July, 2020, Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount of Rs. 391.65 crore. It’s worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of more than Rs 186.70 crore. Till now, 60.14 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
ESSENTIALS TRANSPORTED BY WR THROUGH ITS PARCEL & GOODS TRAINS
Despite adverse effects of corona pandemic, since 23rd March to 11th July, 2020, commodities weighing more than 74,500 tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 392 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc. The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx Rs 23.68 crore. During this period, 56 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 42 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 7.26 crore. Similarly, 326 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of approx. 28 thousand tonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 14.26 crore. In addition to this, 10 indented rakes carrying 4355 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 2.16 crore. During the lockdown period from 22nd March till 11th July, 2020, total 8863 rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 18.24 million tonnes. 17,411 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 8704 trains were handed over and 8707 trains taken over at different interchange points. 394 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. On 12th July, 2020 three parcel special trains including a milk rake left from various stations of Western Railway viz. Okha to Changsari and Bandra Terminus to Ludhiana. One milk rake left from Palanpur to Hind Terminal. It is pertinent to mention here that w.e.f 15th July, 2020, two milk rakes will be attached Ex Anand to Train No 00913 Porbandar – Shalimar every Wednesday and Friday for the month of July, 2020. Also two additional parcel coaches (VPUs) will be attached to this train w.e.f 13th July, 2020 till further notice. Parcel special Train No 00949 Okha -Guwahati JCO 15th July, 2020 will be short terminated at Changsari and hence will also depart from Changsari as per existing time table, instead of Guwahati, due to the restriction at Guwahati extended upto 15th July, 2020.
