The Chennai division of the Southern Railway is feeling the impact of the fast developments at two private ports - Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Karaikal in Pudhucherry.

Drop in Coal loading

Loading of cargo, especially coal, in the Chennai division has dropped in 2010-11 as coal handling moved to these private ports from Chennai and Ennore ports, according to SR sources.

The Chennai division loaded 11.8 million tonnes of coal in 2010-11, a drop of nearly 11 per cent when compared to the previous year.

Misses target

The division also missed the Railway Ministry's target of 12.19 mt of coal loading during the year.

Totally, the Chennai division loaded 16.12 mt of cargo in 2010-11 as against 16.70 mt in the previous year, the source said.

At Krishnapatnam port, the South-Central Railway is currently loading coal.

The Chennai division also lost coal loading to Salem division, which is loading at Karaikal port.

In 2007, Salem became the sixth division within the SR.

Target for the Chennai division this fiscal is to load 16.7 mt of cargo even as efforts are being made to increase loading of coal from Ennore for power plants in and around Gummidipoondi.

Earnings

Earnings on account of freight in the Chennai division dropped by 19 per cent to Rs 731 crore (Rs 750 crore).

The division contributes nearly 46 per cent of Southern Railway's total freight loading.

Other cargoes

Some of the other cargo handled by the Chennai division includes POL, cement, parcels, containerised cargo, limestone and dolomite.

Last year, the POL loading was 0.91 mt.

The handling could have been more but for a four-month conversion of siding at Tondiarpet loading point to handle eight-wheeler rakes from the present four wheelers, the source said.

The Southern Railway loaded 35 mt of cargo during 2010-11 as against the target of 38.70 mt fixed by the Railway Ministry, the source said.

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