Dhanbad Railway Division (DRD) of the East Central railway (ECR) if it is treated as a separate corporate entity has worth of $ 2 billion (two billion US dollars), according to Divisional Railway manager (DRM) AK Mishra. Replying to queries raised by media persons during a press conference online on Wednesday the DRM said, "If there happens to be world ranking of railway divisions in earning and freight loading Dhanbad division certainly would get a good ranking in world".

The DRM said that the division saves Rs 85 out of the every Rs 100 it earns while replying to a question raised on earning and expenses of division. "We are on the top position among all divisions of country. We earned a total of Rs 17302 crores in the financial year ending on March 31 despite lockdown. During the given period the division loaded 143.22 million tonnes of freight, said the DRM.

To yet another query the DRM said that the division is fully prepared for operating passenger trains within the shortest possible time once the home ministry clears regular movement of trains. Both tracks and train coaches are being maintained on a regular basis in division.

He said that the division has launched major developmental works and work for development of Katras station by adding two more platforms, doubling the lines, foot over bridge besides other facilities would be provided here within a stipulated period. Work on the facelift of Dhanbad station also is on, he added.

The division is all set to raise the speed limit of trains up to 75kmph from existing 50kmph on Dhanbad - Chandrapura section of the CIC, said Mishra. According to the DRM division is looking for new areas of freight. It has started loading fly ash, red mud, stone chips and select other items too for maintaining its position and earning.