This train service is making money even during times of COVID-19

• Total number of parcel trains cross 2000; The total numbers of trains run till May 05, is 2067 out of which 1,988 have been timetabled trains

• Indian Railways has made parcel vans available for quick transportation of essential items in small parcel sizes to supplement the supply chain during the lockdown

New Delhi: While the ongoing lockdown due to COVID-19 spread has brought about a sense of insecurity to all the corporates, whether public or private, there is one Indian Railways service that is making some revenue for the government. That is parcel trains. Transportation of essential items like medical supplies, medical equipment, food, etc in small parcel sizes is very important during the lockdown in the wake of COVID-19. In order to fill in this vital need, Indian Railways has made railway parcel vans available for quick mass transportation by E-Commerce entities and other customers including State governments. Now taking a cue from the need and the response, Railways have decided to run time-tabled Parcel Special trains on select routes, to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential items.

Zonal Railways are regularly identifying and notifying routes for these Parcel Special trains. Presently these trains are being operated on eighty-two (82) routes. These routes have been identified to include:

1. Regular connectivity between major cities of the country, viz Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, & Hyderabad.
2. Connectivity from state-capitals/important cities to all parts of the state.
3. Ensuring connectivity to the North-eastern part of the country.
4. Supply of milk and dairy products from surplus regions (Gujarat, AP) to high demand regions.
5. Supply of other essential items (agricultural inputs, medicines, medical equipment, etc) from producing regions to other parts of the country.

"This enhanced running of parcel trains of the Railways is to be seen in the context to ramping up the freight operations in the country by making efforts to make it faster, customised and profitable for all" mentioned a press release issued by the Ministry of Railways. Piyush Goel, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry had recently held a meeting to bring e-commerce and logistics companies closer to Railways. On May 05, 66 Parcel Special trains were run out of which 65 were time-tabled trains. 1,936 Tonnes of the material was loaded, giving an earning of Rs 57.14 lacs to Railways.

The total number of trains run till May 05 is 2067, out of which 1988 have been timetabled trains. 54,292 Tonnes of consignments have been loaded, and the earnings have been Rs 19.77 crores.