Idling freight trains must be a sore sight to the Railway officials since they point out a fact that there is no freight to carry, no business to deal with. Though there is said to be a growth of 20% in freight earnings this year in the first five months, there are 300 freight trains idling in sheds; cargo volume has come down particularly in cargos like cement, pig iron, finished steel and petroleum products. In August, the cement loading saw a fall of 12% while it was 2% for pig iron and finished products. Poor monsoon has affected the coal availability at the railway terminals. According to a source, “Delayed and prolonged rains damage the roads. As a result, many truckers are unwilling to load coal from the pit-head to railhead. So, there is no coal to be carried”. The increase in freight earnings is attributed to the rate-hike from March. A Rail traffic official has another view: “Not that we are not loading more. The cargo loading volume is still up on a year-on-year basis -3.48% in August. But, simultaneously, the average distance for which goods are moved has seen an over 3% reduction, not just in August, but in the previous months as well”. This idea gives a different dimension to the problem which must be attended to for a comprehensive understanding of the situation. If the situation continues without any significant changes, the earnings projection might be revised downwards and, in addition, the hike in diesel price will “add fuel to the fire”. Wagon procurement also may have to be reconsidered.
Thursday, 20 September 2012
300 freight trains parked in sheds for want of freight
Idling freight trains must be a sore sight to the Railway officials since they point out a fact that there is no freight to carry, no business to deal with. Though there is said to be a growth of 20% in freight earnings this year in the first five months, there are 300 freight trains idling in sheds; cargo volume has come down particularly in cargos like cement, pig iron, finished steel and petroleum products. In August, the cement loading saw a fall of 12% while it was 2% for pig iron and finished products. Poor monsoon has affected the coal availability at the railway terminals. According to a source, “Delayed and prolonged rains damage the roads. As a result, many truckers are unwilling to load coal from the pit-head to railhead. So, there is no coal to be carried”. The increase in freight earnings is attributed to the rate-hike from March. A Rail traffic official has another view: “Not that we are not loading more. The cargo loading volume is still up on a year-on-year basis -3.48% in August. But, simultaneously, the average distance for which goods are moved has seen an over 3% reduction, not just in August, but in the previous months as well”. This idea gives a different dimension to the problem which must be attended to for a comprehensive understanding of the situation. If the situation continues without any significant changes, the earnings projection might be revised downwards and, in addition, the hike in diesel price will “add fuel to the fire”. Wagon procurement also may have to be reconsidered.
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