PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Oct 16: South Eastern Railway added yet another feather on its cap when it achieved loading of 100 million tonnes of freight today.
It took 35 days less than the previous year to achieve the milestone of 100 million tonnes. In the last fiscal i.e. 2020-21, the same feat was achieved on November 15, 2020.
During this period, SER has overcome natural calamities like cyclone Yaas and extended rainfall in the eastern region, yet all out efforts were made so that essential commodities reach the destination on time to keep the supply chain uninterrupted.
To serve the industrial sectors, SER has given thrust in carrying commodities like coal for powerhouses, ores and minerals for different industries etc.
During the period from April 1 to October 14, coal loading has been 21.13 million tonnes, which is the best ever loading by this railway.
This apart, loading of iron ore has been 55.95 million tonnes, steel loading 10.14 million tonnes, cement loading 6.55 million tonnes etc.
The formation of the Business Development Unit (BDU) at zonal and divisional levels has played a significant role to achieve this remarkable loading performance.
Senior officers of SER have been regularly holding meetings with representatives of different industries and freight customers to attract new transportation businesses with railways.
Moreover, the thrust was given on running of long haul trains to accommodate more trains in the existing path.
Statistics revealed that in the current fiscal, till October 11, 2021, altogether 284 long haul trains have been run as compared to 95 long haul trains in the corresponding period of the last fiscal.
Notably, two railway divisions of SER – Ranchi and Chakradharpur- which falls in Jharkhand contributes maximum as far as freight loading and earning from freight is concerned.
