To fulfill the commitment towards the nation, Western Railway is ensuring that essential commodities are made available across the nation, even during the time of restricted traffic flow under Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. WR is doing its optimum and has scheduled various special timetabled Parcel trains to different parts of the country. In continuation to this, WR has operated 444 special trains including 376 Parcel specials & 68 milk special trains despite nation wide lockdown. On 5th August, 2020, four Parcel Special trains departed from WR including Bandra Terminus – Jammu Tawi, Porbandar – Shalimar, Okha – Guwahati special trains and a milk special train from Palanpur to Hind Terminal.
According to CPRO Sumit Thakur, since 23rd March to 4th Aug, 2020, commodities weighing above 91 thousand tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 444 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc. The revenue generated through this transportation, has been approx. Rs 29 crore. During this period, 68 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 51 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 8.87 crore. Similarly, 358 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of almost 32 thousand tonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 16.17 crore.
In addition to this, 18 indented rakes carrying 7858 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 4.09 crore. During the lockdown period from 22nd March till 4th August, 2020, total 11,137 rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 22.84 million tonnes. 21,843 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 10,903 trains were handed over and 10,940 trains taken over at different interchange points.
