Despite the Covid challenges, Freight figures continue to maintain the high momentum in terms of earnings and loading in the month of May 2021 for Indian Railways.

On mission mode, Indian Railways' Freight made highest ever loading for the month of May.

In May 2021 it is 114.8 MT which is 9.7% more than May 2019 (104.6 MT) for the same period.

The important items transported during May 2021 includes 54.52 million tonnes of Coal, 15.12 million tonnes of Iron Ore, 5.61 million tonnes of Foodgrains, 3.68 million tonnes of Fertilizers, 3.18 million tonnes of Mineral Oil, 5.36 million tonnes of Cement (excluding clinker) and 4.2 million tonnes of Clinker.

In the month of May 2021, Indian Railways earned Rs. 11604.94 crores from freight loading.

Wagon Turn around time has seen an improvement of 26% in this month. In May, 2021, wagon turn around time is registered at 4.81 days as compared to 6.46 in May 2019.

It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/ discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive.

It may be noted that speed of freight trains has been enhanced in the existing network.

Freight speed improvement leads saving of costs for all stake holders. Freight speed has doubled over last 18 months.

Few zones (around four zones) have registered average speed of freight trains even above 50 Kmph. Due to geographical conditions, certain sections offer good speed to freight trains.  An average speed of 45.6 Kmph is registered in May 2021 for freight trains which is 26% more as compared to 36.19 Kmph for the same period.

Covid 19 has been used by Indian Railways as an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.

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DJN/MKV