Western Railway with its commitment towards the nation, have continued to work at large, by ensuring that essential commodities are made available across the nation, during this difficult time of corona pandemic. It is a matter of honour that WR is always pioneer to contribute its services to the nation by supply of not just essential commodities, but also most urgent medicines & medical equipment. WR has scheduled to run various timetabled Parcel special trains during lockdown period to different parts of the country. Out of these, four Parcel Special trains departed on 24th July, 2020 from WR including Bandra Terminus – Jammu Tawi & Porbandar – Shalimar special trains, while, a special indent rake was operated by WR, from Kankaria to Sankrail Goods Yard and a milk special train from Palanpur to Hind Terminal.
Since 23rd March to 23rd July, 2020, commodities weighing more than 82 thousand tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 417 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc. The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx. Rs 26.10 crore. During this period, 62 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 46,800 tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 8.07 crore. Similarly, 342 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of approx. 30 thousand tonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 15.19 crore. In addition to this, 13 indented rakes carrying 5631 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 2.85 crore.
During the lockdown period from 22nd March till 23rd July, 2020, total 9996 rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 20.33 million tonnes. 19,581 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 9788 trains were handed over and 9793 trains taken over at different interchange points. Meanwhile, in an important decision, it is decided that for commodities to reach from southern part of India to western part i.e from Hyderabad to Porbandar, a parcel van will be attached to Train No 00763 Hyderabad – Amritsar weekly parcel special and the same will be detached at Vasai Rd, to be further attached to Train No 00914 Shalimar – Porbandar parcel special for onward movement to Porbandar.
