The Hindu Business Line : SE Rly freight earnings up by Rs 190 crore

THE South Eastern Railway (SER), the blue-chip outfit of the Indian Railways, has achieved an increase of Rs 190.15 crore in its originating freight earnings for 2003-04 at Rs 2,663.85 crore, against the budget estimate of Rs 2,473.60 crore.

SER has also achieved a 9 per cent increase in freight loading for the year under review at 69.5 million tonnes (originating freight traffic), on the 66 m.t. target fixed by the Railway Board.

Speaking on the occasion of 49th Railway Week at SER headquarters here recently, Mr R.R. Bhandari, General Manager, SER, attributed the improved performance during 2003-04 to an intensive marketing strategy and the business-like approach taken by SER.

The Railways has moved more goods, which include items such as coal to power houses, iron to steel plants and for exports, finished steel and pig iron, cement, petroleum products and general merchandise goods, including containerised traffic.

According to Mr Bhandari, the improved financial discipline is amply reflected in the operating ratio of SER at 82 per cent, which was even higher than that of the Indian Railways as a whole. The improved ratio is said to have yielded a substantial surplus for the national exchequer, making SER into a major profit-making outfit in the Railway family.

He said it was initially thought that the "residual SER", after its trifurcation, would have an operating ratio of 100 per cent, "but the increased revenue earnings and new marketing initiatives have made this achievement possible."

He also commended the organised labour unions — SERMC and SERMU and the SC/ST association and officers' associations for their contribution to the overall improvement.

Mr Bhandari said in the area of scrap sales also, SER has recorded earnings of Rs 87 crore, against the targeted Rs 80 crore. Track renewals done on a substantial scale in the SER system actually result in huge scrap materials, which are converted into cash.

More Stories on : Railways | Other States

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Govt suspends airline licence of Agni Aviation

Airfares from India up in Jan-March, says study

Domestic airlines may get on to IATA's Bill gateway

HAL eyes light combat copter

Kolkata Port defers general tariff revision by another year

SCI board clears purchase of two LR 1 tankers

Trained truck drivers in shortage

SE Rly freight earnings up by Rs 190 crore

Kalindee keen on joint venture with DMRC for metro projects

EC Rly stops sulphur loading at Vizag port