WR Press Release No. 2020/07Mumbai, 30thJuly , 2020
WR TRANSPORTED MORE THAN 86700 TONNES OF ESSENTIALS THROUGH ITS 431 PARCEL SPECIAL TRAINS
Western Railway’s Parcel Special trains are continuouslyon the move, as per the timetable, during the lockdown period in the wake of COVID19. Western Railway isfulfilling the responsibilityof transporting mostessential items like medical equipment, medicines, food grains etc across the nation, as it has always been fully committed to the needs of its customers. WR is also ensuring the supply of milk and milk products to different parts of the country through its milk special trains. on 30th July, 2020, three Parcel Special trains departedfrom WR viz. Bandra Terminus – Jammu Tawi & Kankaria - Cuttack special trains and a milk special train from Palanpur to Hind Terminal.
According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur -Chief Public Relations Officer ofWestern Railway, since 23rdMarch to 29h July, 2020, commodities weighing above 86,700 tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 431 parcel special trains, which mainly includedagricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc. The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx. Rs 27.53 crore. During this period, 65 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 49 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 8.47 crore. Similarly, 351 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of more than 31 thousandtonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 15.74 crore. In addition to this, 15 indented rakes carrying 6493 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 3.33 crore.During the lockdown period from 22nd March till 29thJuly, 2020, total10,590rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 21.64 million tonnes. 20,744 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 10,360trains were handed over and 10,384trains taken over at different interchange points.
LOSS OF PASSENGER EARNINGS DUE TO LOCKDOWN
The total loss of earnings over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus, has been approx. Rs 1932 crore, which includes aboutRs 287 crore for suburban section and approx. Rs 1645crore for non -suburban. Inspite of this, resulting to cancellation of tickets since 1st March, 2020 to 29th July, 2020, Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount ofRs. 406.56 crore. It's worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund ofRs 194.96 crore. Till now, 62.50 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
*************
