WR achieves highest earnings through its parcel special trains among all zonal Railways

As always, with its best possible efforts, WR has been able to serve the nation by ensuring the transportation of essential items like milk, milk products, food, medical supplies, medical equipment etc across the nation through its milk rakes and special parcel trains. From the total earnings of Indian Railways during 10 days period from 8^th April to 17^th April, 2020, of Rs 3.8 crore through its parcel special trains, WR has contributed Rs 1.59 crore, which is the highest among all zonal railways, and attributes to 42 percent of the total earnings.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar – Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, WR’s team of officers and staff have played a big role in making possible the run of the special parcel trains. From operations of the train to loading/unloading and arranging for labourers, all the divisions deserve a big pat on their back, especially Ahmedabad division for their transportation of milk and milk products. Shri Alok Kansal- General Manager of Western Rly has appreciated & congratulated Principal Heads of concerned departments & their teams for this remarkable achievement by WR.

Shri Bhakar stated that WR has made available a dedicated Helpline No 9004490982 which is manned 24×7 by WR staff for any queries regarding the transportation of essential goods. An email id has also been created for the same [email protected]. On 19th April, 2020, two more parcel special trains with four trips, have been announced by WR, to run between Dewas – Jammu Tavi and Okha – Trivandrum. Details of these trains are as under :-

● Dewas – Jammu Tavi parcel special (2 trips)

Train No 00931 Dewas – Jammu Tavi parcel special will leave Dewas on 22^nd April, 2020 at 20.00 hrs and reach Jammu Tavi at 02.00 hrs on 24^th April, 2020. Similarly, Train No 00932 Jammu Tavi – Dewas parcel special will leave Jammu Tavi at 20.00 hrs on 24^th April, 2020 and will reach Dewas at 21.30 hrs on 25^th April, 2020. The train will halt at Nagda, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, New Delhi and Chandigarh stations in both directions.

● Okha – Trivandrum parcel special train (2 trips)

Train No 00933 Okha – Trivandrum parcel special will leave Okha on 20^th April, 2020 at 13.10 hrs and reach Trivandrum at 12.00 on 22^nd April, 2020. Similarly, Train No 00934 parcel special will depart from Trivandrum at 23.00 hrs on 22^nd April, 2020 and reach Okha at 21.40 hrs on 24^th April, 2020. The train will halt at Jamnagar, Rajkot, Surendra Nagar, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vasai Rd., Panvel, Roha, Ratnagiri, Kankavali, Madgaon, Mangalore Jn., Kannur, Calicut, Shoranur Jn., Thrisur, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam and Kollam Jn. In both directions.

Shri Bhakar stated that since 23^rd March to 18^th April, 2020, thirteen milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 9000 tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons generating revenue of Rs 1.58 crore. Similarly, 4 indented rakes carrying 1864 tonnes were run with 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 77 lakh. In addition to this, 52 Covid-19 special parcel trains were also run during this period to transport essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 1.44 crore. Such loading was possible due to constant efforts by WR to deliver its best. Wide publicity of WR’s parcel special trains is being ensured by way of advertisements & news in newspapers, as well as through social media and SMS, so that traders can book their parcels thereby ensuring that there is no dearth of essentials required by the people. Even during the loading/unloading work, proper norms of social distancing are being observed and the labourers are being provided with hand sanitizers & other necessary objects. As goodwill gesture, arrangements for food is also made for the labourers at various places.

Shri Bhakar stated that three parcel special trains left from WR to various parts of the country on 19^th April, 2020 viz.Mumbai Central – Firozpur, Dadar – Bhuj and Karambeli – New Guwahati. During the lockdown period from 22^nd March to 18^th April, 2020, total 1721 rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 3.71 million tonnes. 3804 freight trains were interchanged with other railways, including 1935 trains handed over and 1869 trains taken over at different interchange points. 71 Millennium Parcel rakes of Parcel Vans/Railway Milk Tankers (RMTs) have been sent to different parts of the country to supply as per the demands of essential items such as milk powder, liquid milk and other general consumer goods. The total losses over Western Railway up to 18^th April, 2020 have been estimated as Rs 472.07 Cr (inclusive of suburban + non-suburban). Inspite of this, Western Railway has ensured to refund Rs. 200.35 crore due to cancellation of tickets till now. It’s worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai Division itself, has ensured refund of Rs. 97.79 crore. Till now, 29.91 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly. Upto 18^th April, 2020 more than 1.13 lakh masks and almost 10,000 liters of sanitizers were made inhouse at various divisions and workshops of WR during the lockdown period.