Despite a nearly five per cent growth in freight loading in the first half of the current fiscal, an over three per cent dip in average distance of rail cargo movement has pulled down the transporter’s total freight output growth to 1.28 per cent.

The total rail freight output is measured in net tonne kilometre (ntkm) which reflects the weight of goods loaded in trains and the distance for which they are moved.

OUTPUT, VOLUME

For the April-September period, rail freight output was 3.09 million ntkm, up 1.28 per cent against the same period last year. But, this is below the target set by Railways by 4.4 per cent.

The freight loading for the period is 481.45 million tonnes, reflecting a 4.84 per cent growth over last year, but 1.63 per cent lower than targeted.

The average distance for which railways moved cargo was 644 km, which is 3.3 per cent (22 km) less than last year. The drop in average distance is a reflection of the general trend in economy in the last few years wherein production and consumption centres are located closer.

But, there are some commodities that bucked the trend and registered a growth in average distance of rail transportation during the period. Key among these are pig iron and finished steel from steel plants to various centres, cement, foodgrains, fertilisers, coal for steel plants, and domestic containers.

The commodities that witnessed a drop in average distance include coal for washeries and coal for thermal power houses.

The commodities that were loaded more on rail are: Coal (with a whopping 9 per cent growth), pig iron and finished steel, iron ore for steel plants, cement and mineral oil.

mamuni.das@thehindu.co.in

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