Railways enter one billion plus club in freight loading
With the loading target exceeding
1007 million tonnes (MT) by the end of March, Railways today
entered the select group of billion plus club in freight
movement with China, Russia and USA.
"We transported about 1010 MT freight as against the
target of 1007 MT for 2012-13," a senior Railway Ministry
official said, adding, "With this we are now part of the
billion plus group in the world."
In March alone, railways carried 99 MT goods as against an
average of 80 MT to 85 MT being carried every month. While USA
carried 1380 MT, Russia's loading was 1200 MT and China
touched 1100 MT mark in 2012-13.
Last year, railways had marginally failed to achieve the
loading target as the national transporter could carry 969.8
MT against the target of 970 MT.
Congratulating railwaymen for the achievement, Railway
Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said, "It is really creditable to
achieve this significant freight loading despite present
economic scenario the world over."
He said Indian Railways will play the role of engine of
growth for country's economy.
Attributing the achievement to the surge in demand for
coal, the official said, "Special effort was made to ensure
transport of coal to power houses as the demand started
increasing from July 2012. The demand for cement, iron ore and
steel loading was also picked up later."
Coal movement, crucial for freight, constitute 42 per cent
of total loadings of railways followed by cement (24 per cent)
iron ore (21 per cent) and steel (14 per cent).
Admitting it as a challenging task as there was slowdown
in goods traffic during May, June and the first fortnight of
July, the official said there were about 300 rakes lying idle
during the period.
"We increased the average speed of freight trains from 22
km to 37 km per hour and also added more wagons per rake from
50 to 58 as we focused on heavier, longer and faster movement
of trains," the official said.
Railways has kept the loading target at 1047 MT for the
fiscal 2013-14.
"We are hopeful of achieving this target also as there
would be greater foodgrain movement as the government is
planning to legislate food security bill in coming months," he
said.
With the loading target exceeding
1007 million tonnes (MT) by the end of March, Railways today
entered the select group of billion plus club in freight
movement with China, Russia and USA.
"We transported about 1010 MT freight as against the
target of 1007 MT for 2012-13," a senior Railway Ministry
official said, adding, "With this we are now part of the
billion plus group in the world."
In March alone, railways carried 99 MT goods as against an
average of 80 MT to 85 MT being carried every month. While USA
carried 1380 MT, Russia's loading was 1200 MT and China
touched 1100 MT mark in 2012-13.
Last year, railways had marginally failed to achieve the
loading target as the national transporter could carry 969.8
MT against the target of 970 MT.
Congratulating railwaymen for the achievement, Railway
Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said, "It is really creditable to
achieve this significant freight loading despite present
economic scenario the world over."
He said Indian Railways will play the role of engine of
growth for country's economy.
Attributing the achievement to the surge in demand for
coal, the official said, "Special effort was made to ensure
transport of coal to power houses as the demand started
increasing from July 2012. The demand for cement, iron ore and
steel loading was also picked up later."
Coal movement, crucial for freight, constitute 42 per cent
of total loadings of railways followed by cement (24 per cent)
iron ore (21 per cent) and steel (14 per cent).
Admitting it as a challenging task as there was slowdown
in goods traffic during May, June and the first fortnight of
July, the official said there were about 300 rakes lying idle
during the period.
"We increased the average speed of freight trains from 22
km to 37 km per hour and also added more wagons per rake from
50 to 58 as we focused on heavier, longer and faster movement
of trains," the official said.
Railways has kept the loading target at 1047 MT for the
fiscal 2013-14.
"We are hopeful of achieving this target also as there
would be greater foodgrain movement as the government is
planning to legislate food security bill in coming months," he
said.
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