The Hindu Business Line : Rly Board raises BoxN wagons carrying capacity on certain routes

IN pursuance of its objective to increase the axle load of freight wagons, the Railway Board has further raised the permissible carrying capacity of BoxN wagons on certain routes.

With effect from May 15, each BoxN wagon became eligible for carrying an additional eight tonnes of cargo, that is, carrying capacity (CC), which is about 58 tonnes, plus eight tonnes, with loading tolerance of further two tonnes.

Earlier, it was CC plus two tonnes with loading tolerance of further two tonnes; subsequently, in October last year, it was revised to CC plus four tonnes with the same loading tolerance. Now, it becomes CC plus eight tonnes, with the loading tolerance remaining unchanged.

However, the enhanced chargeable carrying capacity (that is, CC+8) will be applicable to a few selected items such as iron ore, limestone and dolomite, gymsum and stones. It will not apply to coal which accounts for the bulk of the total freight traffic of the Railways.

Also, 16 routes have been identified by the Railways for the movement of the enhanced capacity rakes. These include Gua-Barajamda-Rajkharasawan-Sini-Chandill Gardhrubeswar-Joychandpahar- Damodar-Burnpur-Asansol, Bondamunda-Sini-Adityapur, Bolanikhadan-Barajamda, Bondamunda-Barsuan, Bimalgarh-Kiriburu, Bhilai-Dalli Rajhara, Damodar-Kalipahar, Padapahar-Banspani, Bondamunda-Nawagaon-Puranpani, Bhilai-Ahlwara, Waltair-Kirandul (K-K line), Vasco-Hospet-Guntakal-Renigunta-Chennai, Nawagaon-Hatia-Muri-Bokaro, Purulia-Kotshila, Daitatri-Jakhapura-Paradeep and Sambalpur-Titlagarh- Rayagada- Vijayanagaran- Visakhapatnam.

However, inquiries reveal that certain other routes, such as Chakradharpur-Bilaspur/Raipur areas (beyond Jharsuguda), served by the South East Central Railways where large quantities of iron ore move to meet the requirement of a number of sponge iron units and, therefore, should qualify for the movement of the rakes with enhanced capacity, have been left out.

Another point that is causing concern is the need for additional infrastructure to support the enhanced capacity. The various zonal railways concerned will need additional engines to transport an additional 232 tonnes of traffic per rake.

It is felt that each rake may have to be fitted with three engines instead of the present two.

Also, the line capacity on certain routes has to be strengthened to be able to withstand the pressure of additional load per rake.

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