Despite complete lockdown imposed from 22nd March, 2020 and the current partial lockdown,Western Railway has done commendable work by loading 8168 rakes of goods trains till 3rd July,2020, including various essential commodities such as POL – 893, Fertilizers – 1259, Salt – 458,Food grain-87, Cement – 548, Coal – 318, Containers – 4064 & General Goods – 39 rakes, amounting to 16.87 Million Tonnes to different states of the country, including North East region.
In addition to this 378 rakes of Millennium Parcel Van and Milk Tank Wagons containing various essential commodities such as medicine, medical kits, frozen food, milk powder and liquid milk were loaded to Northern & North East region. Total 15328 Freight trains were interchanged with other Railways including 8040 trains handed over and 8014 trains taken over at different interchange points ofWestern Railway. During the period, important inward rakes such as 1075 rakes of Jumbo, 581rakes of BOXN and 470 rakes of BTPN were unloaded despite shortage of labour at various stations over Western Rly. According to a press release issued by Western Rly, since 23rd March to 3rd July, 2020, commodities weighing more than 69,600 tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its377 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc.
The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx Rs 22.22 crore. During this period,52 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 39 thousand tonnes and100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 6.72 crore. Similarly, 317 Covid-19special parcel trains with a load of approx. 27 thousand tonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 13.75 crore. In addition to this, 8indented rakes carrying 3534 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 1.76 crore. WR has scheduled to run various timetabled Parcel special trains during lockdown period to different parts of the country. Out of these, one Parcel Special train departed from Bandra Terminus to Ludhiana and a special milk rake departed from Palanpur to Hind Terminal
on 4th July, 2020 In continuation to this, Train No 00913/00914 parcel special train which runs between Porbandar – Shalimar as notified earlier, will now have additional halts at Bharuch,Ankleshwar, Gondia, Panksura and Mecheda stations in both directions, as per commercial demand.LOSS OF PASSENGER EARNINGS DUE TO LOCKDOWNThe total loss of earnings over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus, has been over Rs1581 crore, which includes Rs 230.17 crore for suburban section and Rs 1351.29 crore for non-suburban. In spite of this, resulting to cancellation of tickets till now, Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount of Rs. 382.97 crore. It’s worth mentioning that in this refund amount,Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of more than Rs 181.87 crore. Till now, 58.76 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
