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Santanu Sanyal

Kolkata , Nov. 16

The country's first private container train has started operation.

Bothra Shipping's container train, comprising 45 flats totalling 90 containers, completed its maiden run between West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.

It loaded rice bran at Memari in Burdwan district of West Bengal and discharged the same at Kakinada port for exports. The second rake will also follow the same route and with the same type of cargo.

"Given a choice, we would have perhaps liked to carry some other material, may be iron ore or something else, but we were not allowed, presumably because the Railways too is yet to firm up its policies in this regard," said a spokesman for the company.

Unlike another private operator, which started operating container trains a few months ago by acquiring Container Corporation of India's rakes on lease, Bothra Shipping is operating its own rakes manufactured by Titaghar Steel, also a local private wagon manufacturing company.

Bothra Shipping has been engaged in clearing and forwarding and Customs House operations for the past 25 years. It is one of the 14 firms approved by the Indian Railways for operating container trains.

CONCESSION AGREEMENT

The spokesman conceded that the initial experience had not always been too pleasant. The model concession agreement between the Railways and the operators was yet to be signed. However, that was expected.

After all the concept of privately operated container train was new in this country and some teething trouble was inescapable. Both the Railways and the operators were still in the learning mode. "But we are very hopeful", he added.

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