Union Minister Suresh Angadi reviews freight-related performance of NFR

As the NFR is basically a railway where there is more unloading of goods than loading; the performance of NFR with regards to unloading vis-a-vis to loading was discussed in the video conference.

During the online discussion, the MoS (R) appreciated the efforts being made by NFR to increase loading by attracting new traffic movement through railways. It may be mentioned here that in spite of the pandemic situation and absence of big industrial production houses in NE region, the NFR managed to increase loading of some materials during the April-August segment of the current year in comparison to the same period of last year.

During this period of the current year, loading of cement has increased by about 278.9% while loading of of POL products has increased by about 9%.

The Minister of State of Railways during discussion advised to give more impetus to loading of locally grown products like tea, bamboo, pineapple, ginger etc., apart from other agricultural and non-agricultural products which are having good demands in other parts of the country.

The GM/NFR apprised the MoS (R) that the team of officers and staff of NFR have made relentless efforts to increase movement of freight and about the result of the initiatives taken by the Business Development Units (BDUs) of NFR. This includes loading of 13 freight loaded rakes of food grains from the Katihar division to Bangladesh (earlier used to be moved by road). Stone chip loading from the Alipuduar Division to Digaru and from Panchgram; Sribar to Jirania has started thereby generating revenue. Stone chips are also being transported to Bangladesh from Bagdogra.

The GM/NFR informed that to improve the scenario, 14 new locations have been opened for loading and un-loading of freight during August 2020. Facilities at goods shed have also been improved resulting into speedier loading and unloading of goods trains. As a result in August, 897 freight trains were unloaded in NFR in comparison to 722 rakes during the corresponding period of last year, thereby showing an increase of about 24.2%.

The Minister of State of Railways congratulated the GM and the NFR officers and staff for their efforts towards increase of freight movement, increase in average speed of goods train and bringing in new traffic streams. The Central Minister said that the Railways is working tirelessly towards the clarion call given by Prime Minister for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

The NFR has been focusing to boost freight train movement within its jurisdiction to ensure that more and more commodities are transported giving the much needed fillip to economy. Various initiatives have been taken by NFR in this direction.

Measures taken by NFR have resulted into reduced turnaround time for goods carrying train leading to better utilization of assets apart from increase in the average running speed of freight carrying trains. Amenities available at 15 goods sheds have been improved to facilitate hassle free loading and un-loading of commodities, the release added.

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