Indian Railways loss Rs 35,000 cr in passenger operation due to COVID-19

The Indian Railways faced a revenue loss of Rs 35,000 crore due to the suspension of passenger train operations to contain the spread of COVID-19. Chairman Railway Board, Vinod Kumar Yadav informed that due to the pandemic, all the 231 passenger trains, which are running currently, are having an average of 75 per cent occupancy.

New Delhi: The Indian Railways faced a revenue loss of Rs 35,000 crore due to the suspension of passenger train operations to restrict the spread of the Coronavirus.

While addressing a press conference, on Tuesday, Chairman Railway Board, Vinod Kumar Yadav said, "This year we are looking at just 10-15 per cent of the passenger segment revenue compared to Rs 50,000 crore last year. This would mean a loss of Rs 30-35,000 crore from passenger segment."

He further added, "Whatever revenue we lose from passenger segment, will have to make it up by freight loading. Hence, the target for freight loading has been fixed in such a way that whatever shortfall we get from passenger traffic, we can make it up freight traffic."

Yadav informed that due to the pandemic, all the 231 passenger trains, which are running currently, are having an average of 75 per cent occupancy.

However, Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone in pulling the freight traffic ahead of last year's level despite COVID-19. On July 27, the freight loading achieved the mark of 3.13 MT, which was 3.12 MT last year.

The Railway official informed that an aim has been set to increase it further 50 per cent by the end of this year through the development of infrastructure and rationalising policies. The average speed of freight trains has also been doubled up to 45-46 kmph.

"Objective is to bring in efficiency in operations by reducing turnaround time for wagons and increasing the average speed of goods trains," he added.

On July 27, a total number of 1039 rakes were loaded with freight in Indian Railways which includes 76 rakes of food grains, 67 of fertilizer, 49 of steel, 113 of cement, 113 of iron ore and 363 of coal.

Railways also offered the withdrawal of busy season surcharge of 15 per cent and 5 per cent surcharge on two-point and mini rakes, to attract traders for freight operations.

Yadav also stated that these improvements in freight movements will be institutionalised and incorporated in the upcoming zero-based time table, which is going to have separate corridors for passenger and freight operations.