Railways' freight revenue up 11.62 per cent

New Delhi, Jan 16: Propelled by its improved performance in the freight sector, especially better haulage of coal and iron ore, the Railways generated Rs. 33757.87 crore of revenue earnings from freight traffic during the first nine months of the current financial year 2007-08 as compared to Rs. 30242.78 crore during the corresponding period last year, registering an increase of 11.62 per cent.

Railways carried 571.35 million tonnes of freight traffic during April-December 2007 as compared to 527.95 million tonnes carried during the corresponding period last year, reflecting an increase of 8.22 per cent. The Net Tonne Kilo Metres (NTKM) went up from 346259 million to 367601 million during the period, showing an increase of 6.16 per cent. The earnings from freight traffic during December 2007 were pegged at Rs. 4341.47 crore as compared to Rs. 3739.92 crore during the corresponding period last year, showing an increase of 16.08 per cent.

Railways carried 69.97 million tonnes of freight traffic during December 2007 as compared to 63.56 million tonnes during the corresponding period last year, registering an increase of 10.08 per cent.

The Net Tonne Kilo Metres (NTKM) went up from 41384 million during December 2006 to 46140 million during December 2007, showing an increase of 11.49 per cent.

Of the total earnings during December 2007, Rs. 1660.43 crore came from transportation of 30.24 million tonnes of coal, followed by Rs. 674.68 crore from 11.92 million tonnes of iron ore, Rs.

329.73 crore from 3.40 million tonnes of foodgrains, Rs. 328.42 crore from 6.63 million tonnes of cement and Rs. 255.89 crore from 2.26 million tonnes of iron and finished steel.

In addition, the Railways earned Rs. 245.21 crore from 2.99 million tonnes of petroleum oil and lubricant (POL), Rs. 230.78 crore from 3.44 million tonnes of fertilizers, Rs. 183.52 crore from 2.39 million tones of container service, Rs. 74.06 crore from 1.05 million tonnes of raw material for steel plants except iron ore and Rs. 358.75 crore from 5.65 million tonnes of other goods.

UNI