Indian Railways register 16.87% growth in freight loading in August

NEW DELHI : Indian Railways posted a 16.87 per cent growth in freight loading in August 2021 at 110.55 million tonnes compared with the same month last year while freight earning jumped 20.16 per cent at ₹10,866.20 crore despite Covid-19 pandemic.

These numbers are new highs for the Railways in August, according to an official statement.

Major commodities transported include 47.94 mt of coal, 13.53 mt iron ore, 5.77 mt pig iron and finished steel, 6.88 mt food grains, 4.16 mt fertilisers, 3.60 mt mineral oil, 6.3 mt cement and 4.51 mt clinker, the release said.

In July, it handled 112.65 mt of freight which was 18.57 per cent more than in July 2020. The railways transported 47.94 million tonnes of coal, 13.53 million tonnes of iron ore, 5.77 million tonnes of pig iron and finished steel, 6.88 million tonnes of foodgrains, 4.16 million tonnes of fertilisers, 3.60 million tonnes of mineral oil, 6.3 million tonnes of cement (excluding clinker) and 4.51 million tonnes of clinker, among others, during August.

The onset of COVID-19 pandemic last year led to suspension of train services across the country during nationwide lockdown. While many passenger trains have since been restarted, not all trains have been restored. The ministry said railways has used the pandemic as an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.
 
“The speed of freight trains has been enhanced in the existing network. Freight trains speed improvement leads to saving of costs for all stakeholders. Freight trains speed has doubled during last 19 months,” the release said.
 
Besides, a number of concessions and discounts are also being given to make freight movement through railways attractive, it added.

Source : Business Today