By Dominick Rodrigues

Mumbai : Western Railway’s goods & parcel special trains have transported over eight million tonnes of essential goods across India in their non-stop chugging — including also 98 parcel trains– from 1st April, 2021 to 10th May, 2021, in comparison to 5.22 million tonnes in the same period last year, according to Alok Kansal – General Manager of Western Railway.

During this period, the Western Railway generated revenue of around Rs. 12.44 crore in transporting commodities weighing over 36,000 tonnes including agricultural produce, medicines, medical equipment, fish, milk etc. About 20 Milk Special trains were run by Western Railwaly, with a load of more than 14,000 tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons.

Similarly, 23 COVID-19 special parcel trains with a load of approx. 4593 tonnes were also run to transport essential commodities. In addition to this, 17 indented rakes carrying 8814 tonnes were also run with 100% utilization. To help the farmers find new markets for their produce and also for its economical and fast transportation, 38 Kisan Rails with load of approx. 8733 tonnes have also been run during this period from various divisions.

The period April 1 to May 10, 2021 witnessed total 3837 rakes of goods trains being run by the Western Railway to transport 8 million tonnes of essential commodities. About 8464 freight trains were interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 39,413 trains were handed over and 39,270 trains were taken over at different interchange points.

Business Development Units (BDUs) are in constant contact with the existing and probable freight customers to encourage them to transport their goods through railways with the incentives introduced by the Railway Board for quick, reliable, economical & bulk transportation of their goods, a release stated.