Facing complaints from container operators, Indian Railways has decided to come up with a time table, the first of its kind, for freight trains, giving an assured transit time.
However, the railways will charge an extra fee for offering the assured transit time in freight service.
According to a new proposal, the container freight trains will run at an average speed of 100 kmph to reach their destinations faster.
“We are in the process of finalising a time table, specifically for container trains, the first of its kind exercise, as part of the proposed premier freight service,” said a senior rail ministry official.
With the increase in speed and an assured track, the travel time for container freight will also be reduced.
Though the railways publish time tables regularly for passenger services, there is no time table for freight services.
The railways used to have Quick Transit Service for freight operation long ago that has since then been discontinued. The freight time table will have the route plan, travel time and the rates among other information.
“According to the proposed plan, the railways will charge a premium for the container freight service for reaching the destination within a guaranteed time. However, the special fee has not been decided yet,” he said.
Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee had promised to introduce a premium service for container movement with assured transit time in her rail budget.
Container freight is used mostly for high-value manufactured goods like textiles, computers and other finished products.
Linked to ports, container service carries less quantity of raw materials and is mainly meant for export goods with the service being mostly between Delhi and Mumbai. “There is also some movement to Chennai and Kolkata but bulk containers go to Mumbai,” the official said.
Railways earn about Rs 2,500 crore a year from the container service. The assured transit time scheme aims to generate more revenue for the railways. Railways have recently introduced premium parcel services on three routes with guaranteed transit time from dedicated terminals.
