Despite nationwide lockdown, Western Railway’s Parcel special trains, as well as goods trains have continued to transport essential commodities to various parts of the country.
In addition to the parcel special trains, from 22nd March to 22nd May 2020, Western Rly has ensured transportation of various essential commodities through its 4402 goods trains during the lockdown.
Essential commodities amounting to 8.82 million tonnes. 8740 freight trains were interchanged with other railways, including 4404 trains handed over and 4336 trains taken over at different interchange points.
257 Millennium Parcel rakes of Parcel Vans / Railway Milk Tankers (RMTs) were dispatched with essential materials such as milk powder, liquid milk, medical supplies and other general consumer goods.
Since 23rd March to 22nd May 2020, commodities weighing more than 39 thousand tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 256 parcel special trains, which included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc.
The earnings generated through this transportation has been approx Rs 11.90 crore. Thirty-one milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 22,700 tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of more than Rs 3.91 crore.
Similarly, 221 Covid-19 special parcel trains were also run to transport essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was approx Rs 7.21 crore. In addition to this, 4 indented rakes were also run with 100% utilization for earnings of approximately Rs 78 lakh.
Shri Bhakar informed that seven parcel special trains, including a milk rake left from WR for various parts of the country on 23rd May, 2020 viz Dadar – Bhuj, Bandra Terminus – Okha, Okha – Bandra Terminus, Mumbai Central – Firozpur, Okha – Guwahati and Rajkot – Coimbatore special trains. One milk rake left from Palanpur to Hind Terminal.
Total loss of earnings over Western Railway inclusive of suburban & non – suburban sections, since March 2020, has been Rs 986.41 crore on account of lockdown. In spite of this, resulting in the cancellation of tickets till now,
Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount of Rs 279.54 crore. It’s worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of Rs 134.17 crore. Till now, 42.94 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
