The Hindu Business Line : Rly freight earnings up 14%

The freight earnings of Indian Railways for the April-November period have gone up by 14.08 per cent touching Rs 26,232.6 crore as against Rs 22,994.33 crore in the same period in 2005-06.

The total freight loadings have gone up by 10.6 per cent from 421.95 million tonne (MT) in April-November 2005 to 464.39 MT in April-November 2006. Passenger earnings during the period were at Rs 11,132.69 crore, up 12.77 per cent from Rs 9,872.76 crore in April-November 2005, said an official release. Railways' production units have also either achieved or exceeded their targets during the eight-month period. Integral Coach Factory produced 782 coaches during April-November 2006 exceeding the target by 16 coaches while Rail Wheel Factory produced 87,336 wheels and 36,145 axles during April-November 2006 compared to the target of 86,285 wheels and 33,864 axles in the previous year. Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Diesel Locomotive Works and Rail Coach Factory produced 94 electric locos, 124 locos and 852 coaches, respectively, equalling the target. Indian Railways has controlled its working expenses during April-November 2006 — down by Rs 279.75 crore from the budget provision of Rs 25,687.81 crore.