During a virtual Press Conference on 28.08.2020, Shri Sanjive Roy, General Manager/ N.F.Railway told that NFR is taking several steps to increase ease-of-doing business with Railways. As part of the Indian Railway’s policy to provide more thrust to freight transportation, NFR has taken measures to attract new customers and to make transportation through rail easier. This has resulted into increase in freight loading and transportation in comparison to last year during this period in spite of COVID related economic slowdown and restrictions. Apart from constant monitoring of all freight trains to ensure punctual running, facilities and infrastructure at all goods sheds are being improved.
To enhance revenue, NFR is taking many pro-active measures to increase freight traffic. The following measures were taken to increase the speed of freight trains during this year. Speedier train would mean quick turn-around and capability to run more trains.
1. Sectional Speed raised in 260 km. Further sectional speed is planned to be increased in 629 km.
2. Speed on Loop Lines raised at 24 stations.
3. Due to better maintenance of assets and continuous monitoring Average Speed of Goods Trains is now around
49 Kmph as compared to 28 Kmph last year.
This has resulted in better turn-around of wagons. Release of wagons in August, 2020 so far improved by 16%
compared to last year.
To increase freight traffic various steps were taken by NFR:
1. Free-time relaxation granted to covered wagons.
2. Distance permitted for mini-rakes increased from 400 kms to 1,500 kms, and 5% surcharge waived-off.
3. Lower limit relaxed to 10 wagons to target piecemeal traffic in Traditional Empty Flow Direction.
4. Export traffic to Bangladesh permitted in Parcel and Containers.
5. Two-point unloading permitted for automobile traffic.
Various steps were also taken to attract smaller than train-load traffic like:
1. Vyapar-mala trains (garland trains) introduced to attract less than rake-load traffic. One such train from
Kishanganj (Delhi) reached Jirania (Tripura) on 4 th August, 2020 with food grains and pulses.
2. Time-tabled parcel special trains introduced on several routes.
3. Minimum composition of Indented Parcel trains reduced to 15 Parcel Vans from earlier 20 Parcel vans (reduced
to 10 parcel vans for perishable traffic)
As a result of these initiatives NFR has been able to attract new Commodities:
1. Pepsi/ Coca-Cola, PVC pipes, Areca-nut and milk powder are transported by rail. Carrying Pineapple is also
being planned.
2. Jute-bag and tobacco are booked from Coochbehar and Malda Court to various destinations.
3. Mini Rake introduced for Stone Chips Traffic.
4. Bamboo Traffic from Rangiya to Tumkur in South Western Railway likely to start by September.
5. Cement loading during April-July has increased by 188% compared to last year.
