WR Press Release No. 2020/08Mumbai, 4th August , 2020
DUE TO CORONA PANDEMIC, W. RLY REFUNDED MORE THAN
RS. 409 CRORE FOR CANCELLED TICKETS
To control the spread ofCovid-19, all passenger trains were stopped since 22nd March 2020 and a complete nationwide lockdown was announced in India. Gradually, Shramik special trains were introduced to carry the migrant labourers and their families to their hometowns. Later, for the convenience of passengers, Indian Railways decided to restore passenger train services in a phased manner. Presently, 230specialtrains for passengers are running , while services of all other regular trains have been cancelled. Tickets booked through IRCTC website for the regular trains were cancelled online and amount credited accordingly, whereas, for passengers who had booked their tickets through PRS counters, at selected nominated stations the PRS counters were restarted for cancellations & booking w.e.f27th May, 2020. It is worth mentioning that passengers can avail the refund within 180 days from the date of journey. The passengers are being given full refund without deduction of any cancellation charges. Due to cancellation of tickets, since 1stMarch, 2020to 3rd August, 2020, Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount ofRs. 409.25 crore.
According to a press release issued byShri Sumit Thakur- Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, the total loss of revenue over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus,has been almost Rs 2000 crore, which includes Rs 298 crore for suburban section andRs 1702 crore for non-suburban. Inspite of the huge losses faced by the railways, the passengers are being given a full refund, therebyreducing their hardships. It's worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of more than Rs 196.45 crore. Till now, 62.97 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
ESSENTIALS TRANSPORTED BY WR THROUGH ITS PARCEL & GOODS TRAINS
Despiteadverse effects of corona pandemic,since 23rd March to 3rd August, 2020, commodities weighing more than 90 thousand tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 442 parcel special trains, which mainlyincluded agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc.The revenue generated through this transportation, has been approx. Rs 28.77 crore. During this period, 68 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 51 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 8.87 crore. Similarly, 357 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of approx. 32 thousandtonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 16.05 crore. In addition to this, 17indented rakes carrying 7444 tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 3.84 crore. During the lockdown period from 22nd March till4th Aug, 2020, total11,044rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 22.63 million tonnes. 21,690 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 10,825 trains were handed over and 10,865 trains taken over at different interchange points. The revenue earned through these goods trains was aboveRs 2878 crore. on4th Aug, 2020, one parcel special train left from Dewas to Lucknow and an indented rake leftfrom Karambeli to New Guwahati. Meanwhile, in an important decision, an additional halt has been provided to Train No 00901/00902 Bandra Terminus – Jammu Tawi parcel special train at Pathankot Cantt.
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