By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, OCT 06, 2020: UNION Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal yesterday held a meeting with top leadership of Coal and Power Sector to ensure consolidation of coal business of Railways and suggest ways andmeans to further improve the joint operational productivity ofRailways, Coal and power sectorconcerning Coal Freight.

It may be noted that Coal accounts for almost 50% of freight of Railways. Last year the total loading was 587 Million Tonnes. Out of total freight of 1210 MTs.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Goyal said that Railways was making relentless efforts in the field of boosting freight loading and there was no scope of any slippages on any front. The Minister called for coordinated operations among Railways, Coal and Power entities to ensure maximum mutual growth of all the three sectors namely Railways, Power and Coal.

It may be noted that in a remarkable turn around, in September 2020, Indian Railways earned Rs. 9896.86 crores from freight loading which is also Rs. 1180.57 crores higher compare to last year's earnings for the same period (Rs. 8716.29 crores). The increase in freight revenue is 13.54%. There is a great a potential to further enhance loading of coal. An increase in coal loading will have a significant positive impact on railways freight revenues.

Railways are now going all out to overtake last year figures on a cumulative basis as well in spite of covid related challenges and long lock downs.

Freight loading in September 2020 is 15.3 % more than last year for the same period.

Slew of efforts like more than 25 policy initiatives formation of Business Development Units at zonal levels, running both specialised parcel &kisan trains and better all round monitoring is ensuring the growth.

Number of concessions/discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive.Coal accounts for almost 50% of its freight.