Indian Railways earned Rs 1,17,386 crores from freight loading in FY 2021-21

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): Despite the Covid-19 challenges, Indian Railways said that the national transporter has registered the Highest Freight figures in terms of loading and earnings in the Financial Year 2020-21

In the closing month of this fiscal year 2020-21, Indian Railways surpassed the last year’s loading that is 1232.63 compared to last year’s 1209.32 which shows a growth of 1.93%.

In this period, Indian Railways earned Rs. 1,17,386 crores from freight loading. It is 3% higher than the last year’s earning from Freight which was Rs. 113897.20 Crores for the same period.

Indian Railways has maintained the momentum of highest ever loading in consecutive 7 respective months from September 2020 to March 2021. Indian Railways' Freight loading for the month of March 2021 crossed last year’s loading and earnings for the same period.

In the month of March 2021, Indian Railways loading was 130.38 million tonnes which are 27.33 per cent higher compared to last year’s loading for the same period (103.05 million tonnes). Indian Railways loading was 130.38 million tonnes which include 58.57 million tonnes of coal, 16.78 million tonnes of iron ore, 3.67 million tonnes of foodgrains, 2.57 million tonnes of fertilizers, 3.97 million tonnes of mineral oil and 9.56 million tonnes of cement (excluding clinker).

In March 2021, Indian Railways earned Rs 12,887.71 Crores from freight loading which is also 26.16% higher compared to last year’s earnings for the same month (Rs 10,215.08 crores).

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

It may be noted that Freight trains’ speed has also registered a significant increase in the existing network. The average speed for the freight trains in March 2021 was registered as 45.6 kmph which is 83 per cent increase as compared to 24.93 kmph in the same period.

Also, improvements in freight movements will be institutionalized and incorporated in the upcoming zero-based time-table.

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