WR Press Release No. 2020/08Mumbai, 26th August , 2020
WR TRANSPORTED MORE THAN 1.08 LAKH TONNES OF ESSENTIALS THROUGH ITS 494 PARCEL SPECIAL TRAINS
Tofulfill the commitment towards the nation, Western Railway is ensuring that essential commodities are made available across the nation, even during difficult times of Covid-19 pandemic. WR is doing its optimum and has scheduled various special timetabled Parcel trains to different parts of the country. In continuation to this, three Parcel Special trains departed on 26thAugust, 2020 from WR viz. Porbandar to Shalimar, Okha to New Guwahati parcel special train and an indent train left from Karambeli to New Guwahati.
According to a press release issued byShri Sumit Thakur -Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, since 23rd March to 25thAug, 2020, commodities weighing above 1.08 lakh tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its 494 parcel special trains, which mainly included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc. The revenue generated through this transportation, has been approx. Rs 34.53crore. During this period, 79 milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of approx.60 thousand tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 10.35 crore. Similarly, 387 Covid-19 special parcel trains with a load of approx. 36 thousandtonnes were also run to transport various essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 18.28 crore. In addition to this, 28 indented rakes carrying more than 12 thousand tonnes were also run with almost 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 6.56 crore. During the lockdown period from 22nd March till 25thAugust, 2020, total12,954rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 26.90 million tonnes. 25,533 freight trains have been interchanged with other zonal railways, in which 12,766trains were handed over and 12,767trains taken over at different interchange points.
LOSS OF PASSENGER REVENUE DUE TO LOCKDOWN
The total loss of revenue over Western Railway on account of Corona Virus, has been approx. Rs 2296 crore, which includes about Rs 346 crore for suburban section and approx. Rs 1950 crore for non-suburban. Inspite of this, resulting to cancellation of tickets since 1st March,2020 to 25thAug, 2020, Western Railway has ensured to return refund amount of Rs.419.28 crore. It's worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund ofabout Rs 202 crore. Till now, 64.73 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.
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