The Hindu Business Line : East Coast Rly mulls focus on maintenance

Kolkata May 29 A drop in traffic throughput from the projected level has led East Coast Railway (ECoR) to consider concentrating on the maintenance of assets than running of freight trains, particularly because, with the monsoon looming large, the prospects of a significant turnaround in the near future are not so bright.

The current situation has been continuing for over a month now.

Right now, the average daily loading of wagons (in terms of four-wheelers) by ECoR is estimated at 9,700 compared to the projected 10,500.

"True, our current average daily loading is more than that in the same period of the last year, but we are not happy," said a spokesman for ECoR.

"Any shortfall from the target now will mean tremendous pressure on us in the second half of the year, if we are to achieve the targeted traffic of 93 million tonnes in 2007-08."

The current drop in loading is attributed to several factors, the most important being shutdown of several plants in areas served by the Railways.

For example, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) has undertaken shutdown of its sinter plant, as a result of which it is now receiving only three rakes of iron ore a day compared to eight rakes in normal times.

The average loading of iron ore at the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) mines in Bacheli area too has dropped to 10-11 rakes a day from the normal 15.

As a result, fewer rakes are now moving on the Kirandul-Kottavalasa line.

The NMDC mines cater to the requirements of RINL as well as exports.

RINL is taking fewer wagons than before.

Exports too are reportedly sluggish.

NMDC too is believed to have opted for maintenance of its conveyor belt and loading plants.

Besides, the loading of coal at Talcher mines under Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd has declined.

Against the targeted loading of 26-27 rakes a day, the current loading is about 23 rakes.

The production of coal in the mines as well as road transportation of coal to the nearest railhead has been less than satisfactory.

The stocks at the railheads, it is learnt, have come down to 1.6 lakh tonnes from 3.8 lakh tonnes earlier.