The Hindu Business Line : Rlys freight earnings up 17 pc during April-July

The Railways has generated Rs 13,222.09 crore of revenue from freight traffic during the first four months of the current financial year ending July (Rs 11,338.88 crore), an increase of 16.61 per cent.

New Delhi , Aug. 21

The Indian Railways has registered almost 17 per cent increase in its earnings from freight transportation, touching Rs 13,222.09 crore, during the first four months this fiscal against last year.

In terms of volume of freight moved during the period, it registered a relatively lower growth rate of 10 per cent.

The Railways has generated Rs 13,222.09 crore of revenue from freight traffic during the first four months of the current financial year ending July compared to Rs 11,338.88 crore during the corresponding period last year, registering an increase of 16.61 per cent, stated an official release.

The Railways carried 233.21 million tonnes (mt) of freight traffic during April-July compared to 211.35 mt during the corresponding period last year, an increase of 10.34 per cent, it added.

The Net Tonne Kilo Metres (NTKM) went up by 10.48 per cent — from 139,462 million during April-July 2005 to 154,082 million during April-July 2006. NTKM, which represents combined growth in volumes and transportation distance, is calculated by multiplying total volume of goods by total distance moved during a given period.

JULY EARNINGS

The earnings from freight traffic during July were up 17.63 per cent at Rs 3,262.25 crore, compared to Rs 2,773.26 crore in July last year. The Railways carried 57.37 mt of freight traffic during the month (51.37 mt), registering an 11.68 per cent increase.

BREAK-UP FOR JULY

Of the total earnings during July, about 37 per cent (Rs 1,224.75 crore) came from moving 24.77 mt of coal, followed by Rs 266.93 crore from 5.48 mt cement, Rs 237.52 crore from 2.93 mt foodgrain, Rs 234.58 crore from 2.81 mt of petroleum oil and lubricant, Rs 206.32 crore from 2.90 mt iron ore for exports, Rs 179.34 crore from 1.72 mt of iron and steel for steel plants, Rs 158.41 crore from 4.41 mt of raw material for steel plants, Rs 134.25 crore from 2.5 mt fertilisers, and Rs 620.15 crore from 9.85 mt of other goods.