Indian Railways records 116% growth in passenger traffic revenue

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News):  The overall revenue of Indian Railways at the end of August'22 was Rs 95,486.58 cr, showing an increase of Rs 26,271.29 cr (38%) over the corresponding period of last year, said the statement issued by railway Ministry.

The revenue from passenger traffic was Rs 25,276.54cr with an increase of Rs 13,574.44 cr (116%) over the corresponding period of last year. Passenger traffic also increased compared to last year in both the segments, reserved as well as unreserved. The growth from the long-distance reserved mail express trains has been sharper than the same in passenger & suburban trains.

The other coaching revenue was Rs 2,437.42 cr, showing an increase of Rs 811.82 cr (50%) over the corresponding period of last year. This growth is being fueled by robust growth in the Parcel segment of Indian Railways.

Goods revenue was Rs 65,505.02cr by August this year and has increased by Rs 10,780.03 cr (20%) over the corresponding period of last year. This has been achieved through incremental loading of more than 58 MT and 18% growth in the NTKMs during the period. Food grains, fertilizer, cement, mineral oil, container traffic and Balance other goods segments have been important contributors to this growth, in addition to coal transportation.

The sundry revenue was Rs 2,267.60 cr, showing an increase of Rs 1,105 cr (95%) over the corresponding period of last year.

Apart from this, the Indian Railway has also recorded tremendous growth in automobile traffic in the recent past.

The growth in automobile traffic has been the result of various initiatives viz. availability of specialized privately owned wagons. On the basis of the issues raised by the stakeholders in the automobile industry, including the Society for Indian Automobiles Manufactures (SIAM), the Automobile Freight Train Operator (AFTO) policy has been liberalized from time to time. It allows automobile manufacturers to own their wagons specialized for their needs.

Presently, the Indian Railway has a fleet of 90 NMG rakes. In addition, 43 BCACBM rakes have been inducted by approved Train Operators under the AFTO scheme.