Rail freight handling continues momentum

Freight figures continued to maintain high momentum in terms of earnings and loading in December 2020 for Indian Railways, crossing last year’s loading and earnings for the same period.

In December 2020, the Railways loaded 118.13 million tonnes, which was 8.54% higher compared to the previous year’s loading for the same period (108.84 million tonnes).

The Railways earned Rs 11,788.11 crore from freight loading during this period i.e. Rs 757.74 crore (6.87%) higher compared to the previous corresponding year (Rs 11,030.37 crore).

Among the key commodities loaded in December 2020 were 50.67 million tonnes of coal, 15.31 million tonnes of iron ore, 6.13 million tonnes of foodgrains, 5.23 million tonnes of fertilisers, 4.3 million tonnes of mineral oil and 7.46 million tonnes of cement (excluding clinker).

It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/discounts are being given by the Railways to make freight movement attractive. Improvements in freight movement will be institutionalised and incorporated in the upcoming zero-based time table, said a release.

Covid-19 has been used by the Railways as an opportunity to improve all-round efficiencies and performance, the release added.