Railways’ wheels keep rolling despite COVID-19
Despite the challenges posed by the devastating second wave of Coronavirus, Indian Railways has maintained the momentum of highest ever loading in consecutive 09 respective months from September, 2020 to May, 2021.
On mission mode, Indian Railways’ freight loading for the month of May 2021 crossed 2019 & 2020 year’s loading and earnings for the same period.
Coal sector has shown a sustained growth. Indian Railways loaded 88.15 MT coal in the FY 2021-22 which is a growth of 54.03% compared to the last year 2020 (57.23 MT) and 1.39% compared to the year 2019 loading (86.94 MT).
In the month of May 2021 (till date), Indian Railways loading was 73.45 million tonnes which is 44.99% higher compare to last year’s loading for the same period (50.66 million tonnes). It is 10.27% higher than the year 2019 loading figures (66.61 MT) for the same period.
Indian Railways loading was 73.45 million tonnes which includes 35.62 million tonnes of coal, 9.77 million tonnes of iron ore, 3.38 million tonnes of food grains, 2.22 million tonnes of fertilizers, 2.02 million tonnes of mineral oil and 3.15 million tonnes of cement (excluding clinker).
In May, 2021, Indian Railways earned Rs. 7368.00 crore from freight loading which is also 62.20% higher compared to last year’s earnings for the same month (Rs. 4541.21 crore) & 4.93% higher compared to the year 2019 earning figures (Rs.7021.75 crore) for the same period.
Overall, Indian Railways has registered highest freight figures in terms of loading and earnings. In the FY 2021-22, Indian Railways total loading is 185.04 million tonnes (MT) till date which is 10.37 % higher compared to the year 2019 loading figures (167.66 MT) for the same period. It is 59.38% higher than the year 2020 loading figures of 116.1 MT for the same period.
Significantly, in the FY 2021-22, Indian Railways earned Rs 18542.8 crore from freight loading which is 4.92% higher compared to the year 2019 earning (Rs 17674 crore) & 75.93% higher to the year 2020 earning (Rs 10540.1 crore) for the same period
It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/ discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways freight movement very attractive. It may be noted that freight trains’ speed has also registered significant increase in the existing network.
Thus, COVID-19 has been used by Indian Railways an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.
