Railways traffic revenue till August 2020 declines by 42.3% over last year

The traffic revenue of Indian Railways till August 2020 has declined by 42.3 percent over the corresponding period last year, due to the nationwide lockdown imposed due to COVID-19, the Central Government informed the Parliament on Wednesday.

New Delhi: The Central Government, on Wednesday, informed Parliament that the traffic revenue of Indian Railways till August 2020 has declined by 42.3 percent over the corresponding period last year, due to the impact of COVID-19 induced nationwide lockdown.

While replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal said in Lok Sabha that till end of August, the total number of originating passengers has been 1.27 percent and freight loading has been 86.6 percent of the corresponding period last year.

Consequently, the traffic revenue of Railway for the period, at Rs 41,844.31 crore has declined by 42.3% over the corresponding period last year, Goyal further added.

As an impact of COVID-19, operations of passenger train services were suspended on March 23, for 39 days. However, freight trains continued to operate throughout the lockdown.

Explaining about the freight revenue of Indian Railways, Goyal stated that a collection of Rs 39,648 crores is being made till end of August 2020, which was of Rs 46,433 crores in August 2019.

"Indian Railways has taken a large number of steps to simplify freight policy to boost freight revenue," he said.

These methods include exemption from levy if Demurrage, Wharfage, and other ancillary charges from March 22 to June 17, aiming to facilities freight customers and to provide logistics support for movement of essential goods.

The Union Minister also mentioned that in a view to enhance passenger earnings, the resumption of passenger train services was being undertaken by Indian Railways in a phased manner based on the demand pattern amid Covid-19.

"Periodical review of Occupancy, quota utilisation, waiting list of trains is done and adjustments are made, wherever required. Besides, measure to enhance passenger earnings is a continuous and an ongoing process," he added.