Indian Railways freight traffic increases to 357.57 million tonnes in April-July 2014

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Ministry of Railways is targeting total freight loading of 1,101 million tonnes in FY2014-15

  Revenue earning freight traffic carried by Indian Railways has increased to around 357.57 million tonnes during April - July 2014, which is up about 14.57 million tonnes or about 4.2% from 343 million tonnes recorded during the same period last year, according to India’s Ministry of Railways.   In July 2014, the revenue earning freight traffic carried by Indian Railways stood at around 89.89 million tonnes, up about 3.68 million tonnes or 4.27% from 86.21 million tonnes carried by the Indian Railways during the same period last year. The Ministry of Railways is targeting total freight loading of 1,101 million tonnes in FY2014-15, which is up about 51 million tonnes or 4.8% from 1,050 million tonnes in FY2013-14. Total freight earnings targeted in FY2014-15 is Rs.1,05,770 crore. It is estimated that railways handle around 32% of total freight in India, which is almost half of what is transported on road. Earlier this year, the Railway Minster said that vast tracts of hinterland in India remains bereft of rail connectivity and the share of railways in freight traffic is coming down consistently. The government plans to seek Public Private Partnership (PPP) to help improve rail connectivity to new and upcoming ports and is taking several steps to boost railway freight traffic, including speedy work on coal connectivity lines, developing select stations to international standards, setting up Logistic Parks to modernize logistics operations, and making mechanization of loading and unloading a top priority. The government is also planning to establish Private Freight Terminals on PPP model to develop network of freight terminals, and to improve rail movement to carry perishable items such as fruits, vegetables and milk.