Railways achieves significant growth in freight traffic: Lalu

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, responsible for scripting a spectacular turnaround of the government's biggest department, today said the rail freight traffic had clocked a record high of 667.39 million tonnes during 2005-06, an increase of 10.72 per cent as compared to the previous year.

Improved availability of wagons, financial incentives, wagon investment scheme and increased axle load, besides regular monitoring at every stage, had accelerated freight traffic and revenue, he said.

Mr Prasad was addressing the Consultative Committee Meeting of MPs attached to his Ministry here.

Two Ministers of State for Railways -- R Velu and Naranbhai J Rathwa, Railway Board Chairman J P Batra, members of the Board and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

Mr Prasad informed that the foundation stone for dedicated freight corridors, linking Delhi and Mumbai and Delhi and Haldia, would be laid shortly.

Pointing out that increased transportation capacity had become essential for keeping pace with the significant growth in freight traffic, he said the average wagon turnround had come down to 6.4 days in 2004-05 as compared to 6.99 days in 2002-03.

''The new Wagon Investment Scheme will not only help its freight customers to have a minimum guaranteed supply of wagons but also help the Railways in utilising its available resources for development of other sectors as well,'' the minister said.

As a result of wagon modernisation and improved track structure, the permissible axle load of wagons had also been enhanced as a pilot project on certain identified routes for carrying higher levels of traffic with the existing wagon fleet, he pointed out.

In addition, financial incentives have been introduced for traditional empty flow direction of wagons, dynamic pricing policy for peak and non-peak seasons and loyalty discount schemes to optimise the available transport capacity and improve freight traffic.

He said 500 'A' and 'B' category stations would be declared 'Model Stations', which would be beautified and provided with all amenities.

''The year 2006 has been declared as the year of passenger Service with a smile and the Railways is making efforts to provide modern, clean and hygienic atmosphere both at the stations and in the trains,'' he informed the members.

Under the Clean Train And Station System, a special drive has been launched to clean Ratlam, Asansol, New Jalpaiguri, Ahmedabad, Visakhapatnam, Guwahati, Bhusawal and Jhansi stations and trains passing through these stations.

''This facility is being extended to 17 more stations,'' he said.

To provide security to women passengers in suburban and other trains, special women squads have been formed in the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

He said the RPF would also be strengthened to provide more security to passengers. To minimise human error, drivers are being trained in modern techniques and the track, rolling stock and signalling system are being modernised to curb accidents.

In response to a member's query for carrying freight traffic from Nashik to Azadpur Mandin the national capital for unloading perishable items like fruits and vegetables during peak seasons, the minister instructed the Railway Board to find out the feasibility of this proposal.

Mr Prasad disagreed from a member who suggested halts for some trains.

''Providing halts at stations other than the desired ones will make it difficult to maintain punctuality and discipline in the Railways,'' he said.

UNI/SKS CS DB1811