Freight loading for FY 2020-21 surpassed level achieved last fiscal: Railway Board chairman

He credited the achievement to the rail employees and said initiatives taken by them at the zonal and divisional levels helped the national transporter to increase its freight basket.

The Railway Board chairman further said on a month-to-month basis, up to March 11, Indian Railways’ loading was 43.43 million tonnes, which is 10 per cent higher than the corresponding period last year (39.33 million tonnes).

On a day-to-day basis, on March 11, the freight loading of Indian Railways was 4.07 million tonnes, which is 34 per cent higher than last year’s loading for the same date (3.03 million tonnes).

The average speed of freight trains in the month of March 2021 till now was 45.49 kmph which is almost double compared to last year for the same period (23.29 kmph).

“It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make rail freight movement very attractive. The strong emergence of business development units in zones and divisions, constant dialogue with the industry and logistics service providers, faster speed are adding to the robust growth of freight business for the Railways.

“It may be noted that COVID-19 has been used by Indian Railways as an opportunity to improve all-round efficiencies and performances,” Sharma said.