Here’s what Railways has done to boost automobile loading through railway

Indian Railways is aiming to achieve a modal share of automobile loading to 20 percent by the end of 2021-22, and a modal share of 30 percent by 2023-24
Here’s what Railways has done to boost automobile loading through railway

New Delhi: Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal met who so who of the Automobile Industry leaders to give a boost to automobile loading through Railways. The representatives of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Tata Motors, Hyundai Motors, Ford Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Honda India, and Maruti Suzuki Ltd, The Automobile Freight Train Operators (AFTOs), Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA), who were all part of the meeting, lauded the initiative and committed to working in partnership with Indian Railways to facilitate transportation of automobiles through Railways.

Indian Railways is attaining new heights in the transportation of automobiles. The total loading of automobiles through Railway was only 429 rakes in 2013-14, which has increased to 1,595 rakes in 2019-20. Despite almost negligible loading in the first two months, Indian Railway has loaded 836 rakes of automobiles in the first six months of the current year (Apr to Sep) against 731 rakes in the previous year.

In a statement, Indian Railways has said that it is aiming to achieve a modal share of 20 percent by the end of 2021-22, and a modal share of 30 percent by 2023-24.

The participants in the interaction were informed about the steps taken by Railways to promote the loading of automobiles, which has led to this quantum jump – and were asked to bring more loading to rail.

Here is the list of steps taken by the Railways to facilitate automobile loading:

a) Haulage Charges for BCACBM rakes have not been revised since May 2013
b) Freight for NMGs has not been revised since May 2018
c) Increase in the number of NMG rakes – from 30 (on 1st April) to 42
d) Two-destination loading permitted in NMG rakes
e) Export of Automobiles permitted

Total loading of automobiles through Railway was only 429 rakes in 2013-14, which has increased to 1,595 rakes in 2019-20. Despite almost negligible loading in the first two months, Indian Railway has loaded 836 rakes of automobiles in the first six months of the current year (Apr to Sep)

f) Traffic to Bangladesh started in NMG rakes
g) Traffic to Nepal started, via Nautanva terminal (NE Railway)
h) 7 new terminals opened for Automobile loading namely: Chitpur (ER); Penukonda (SWR); Nasrala (NR); Nautanva (NER) – for traffic to Nepal; Salchapara, Furkating, & New Tinsukia (all NFR)
i) Now approx. 52 Railway terminals available
j) All private sidings, PFTs, and ICDs can handle automobile traffic

Representatives of the industry were all praise for the Railways for the help and support being extended to them and confirmed that efforts will be on to bring more and more loading towards the railway.

Participants were informed that more terminals being opened up for Automobile traffic (as per demands of the industry) Charodi (WR), Bakshi Ka Talab (NER), Mesra (ECR). Also, export to Bangladesh in BCACBM rakes being planned in coordination with Bangladesh Railway. New taller design of auto-carrier wagons(using the envelope of Double Stack Dwarf Containers) *being developed by RDSO in consultation with the industry. They also were assured that all possible help will be extended to them, and all their concerns and issues will be addressed on priority.

(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Telegram. Join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram and stay updated)

logo
PSU Watch
psuwatch.com