The Hindu Business Line : Railways freight earnings up 17 pc at Rs 22,615 cr

THE Railways has increased its freight earnings by 17 per cent to touch Rs 22,615.53 crore during the first eight months of the current fiscal ending November 2005, compared to Rs 19,355.47 crore during the corresponding period last year.

On a monthly basis, Railways earned Rs 2928.41 crore during November 2005. It carried 55.03 million tonnes (mt) of freight during the month registering 11.46 per cent increase over the 49.37 mt transported during the corresponding period last year, according to an official statement.

From the total monthly earnings, Rs 1234.32 crore accrued to Railways by transportation of 24.86 mt of coal, followed by Rs 231.85 crore from 2.68 mt of petroleum oil and lubricant (POL), Rs 226.97 crore from 4.94 mt of cement and Rs 197.24 crore from 3.71 mt iron ore for exports, said the release.

The total earnings also include Rs 193.18 crore from 2.41 mt of foodgrains, Rs 168.23 crore from 3.28 mt of fertilisers, Rs 151.40 crore from 4.65 mt of raw materials to steel plants, Rs 139.99 crore from 1.34 mt of finished iron and steel, and Rs 385.23 crore from 7.16 mt of other goods, it added.