Reduction in average turnaround time resulted in higher capacity and earnings. |
The record increase in the revenue of the railways has been brought about by higher efficiencies in the current year. The railways managed to reduce their average turnaround time from seven days to about five-and-a-half days, resulting in higher capacity and earnings. The target was six days. |
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Better efficiency and a higher ceiling for permissible load per wagon defined by axle loads resulted in higher earnings of Rs 5,000 crore and additional loading capacity of 100 million tonnes. In March 2005, 22.5 axle-load trains on iron-ore routes were introduced on a pilot basis. |
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"The reduction in wagon turnaround time and additional loading of 4 to 8 tonnes per wagon are the foundations of our financial turnaround," Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said. |
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This year, the railways will be looking at capacity enhancement on the passenger side as well. They will introduce 24 coaches for 190 trains and earn about Rs 200 crore annually with this addition. |
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Moreover, for further capacity enhancement in freight, it has been decided to run 25-tonne axle-load trains on two routes in the coming year on a pilot basis. These primarily non-passenger routes are Dallirajhara-Bhilai and Daitari-Banspani. |
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A one-tonne increase in axle-load leads to nearly 4 tonnes of increase in wagon capacity. At present, the norm is 21.5 tonnes. |
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"Next year, after taking stock, 23- and 22.3-tonne axle-load trains will be introduced on important traffic routes, in a phased manner. Over the next five years, feeder routes to the new freight corridor will be strengthened to make them fit for 25-tonne axle-loads," Prasad said. |
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The better efficiency in turnaround time this year was achieved by tightening the railways' demurrage rules, where free time given to load wagons was halved and the penalty for detention nearly doubled. |
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