WR Press Release No. 2020/07Mumbai, 31stJuly , 2020
WR TRANSPORTED ALMOST 3800 TONNES OF MEDICINES & MEDICAL EQUIPMENT THROUGH ITS 434 PARCEL SPECIAL TRAINS
Western Rly has taken a unique initiative in providing transportation of essential commodities to various destinations of the country during such difficult times in wake of COVID 19. WR in its own way is well contributing through its services to the nation by continuously running timetabled parcel special trains originating from various stations of WR. More importantly, medicines as well as medical equipment were also transported through these parcel special trains.
According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur -Western Railway’sChief Public Relations Officer, WR has always been there for the country and its people. Especially during the lockdown and the current restricted movement, WR has gone all out to transport medicines, medical equipment and essential commodities like milk, milk products, foodgrains etc. and kept the supply chain running. Since 23rd March to 30th July, 2020, medicines which includedkidney transplant medicines, vaccines etc.and medical goods such as PPE kits, sanitizers, masks, surgical goods etc. weighing almost 3,800 tonnes was transported, generating earnings of Rs 167.43 lakh.The total commodities transported during this period by Western Rly, through its 434 parcel special trains were above88 thousand tonnes. The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx. Rs 27.91 crore. During this period, 66 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of approx. 50 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx. Rs 8.60 crore. Similarly, 352 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 15.76 crore. In addition to this, 16 indented rakes carrying 6956 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 3.55 crore. During the lockdown period from 22nd March till 30th July, 2020, total10,693rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 21.87 million tonnes deriving earnings of approx. Rs 2784 crore. 20,961 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 10,463trains were handed over and 10,498trains taken over at different interchange points. Shri Thakur stated that Train No 00949/ 00950 Okha – Guwahati-Okha parcel special train will now have an additional halt at Danapur station in both directions. The halt at Patliputra as notified earlier has been withdrawn.
LOSS OF PASSENGER EARNINGS DUE TO LOCKDOWN
The total loss of earnings over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus, has been approx. Rs 1945 crore, which includes aboutRs 289 crore for suburban section and approx. Rs 1656crore for non-suburban. Inspite of this, resulting to cancellation of tickets since 1st March, 2020 to 30th July, 2020, Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount of Rs. 407.22 crore. It's worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund ofRs 195.33 crore. Till now, 62.62 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
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