The initiatives taken by Indian Railways in tariff and non-tariff fields to boost freight operations has yielded positive results as freight loading recorded 4.3 per cent higher compared to last year for the same month.
In the month of August 2020 (till 27th August 2020) the total freight loading was 81.33 million tonnes which is higher than last year for the same month (77.97 million tonnes), the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said that the initiatives taken in tariff field includes discount on loaded containers, moisturised ash (open wagon), withdrawal of surcharge of two point/mini rakes (for cement, iron, steel, food grains, and fertilizers), round trip traffic policy, long lead concession and short lead concession.
It said that discounts range from 5to 50 per cent. In Spite of Covid related restrictive challenges, freight loading in the month of August 2020 (till 27th August 2020) is 4.3 per cent higher compared to last year for the same month.
Utilizing Covid period as an opportunity Indian Railways substantially increased the speed of freight trains in the year 2020-21 as compared to last year.
Among the measures taken by the railways to boost freight operations are setting up business development units at divisions, zones and board level, putting restrictions on co-use of private sidings removed - 1,079 private sidings allowed to become private freight terminals effectively, opening up of export traffic to Bangladesh for parcels, containers and automobile and linking train from Kolhapur to Manmad