Railway freight revenue up by 13.86 per cent in 2007-08

New Delhi, Apr 21 (UNI) Spurred by an improved haulage of coal, cement, iron and steel, the Railways notched revenue earnings of Rs. 47558.78 crore from freight traffic during the fiscal 2007-08 as compared to Rs 41768.35 during the corresponding period last year, registering an increase of 13.86 per cent.

Railways carried 794.21 million tonnes of freight traffic during 2007-08 as compared to 728.77 million tonnes carried during the corresponding period last year, reflecting an increase of 8.98 per cent.

The Net Tonne Kilo Metres (NTKM) went up from 4,75227 million during the fiscal 2006- 07 to 511801 million during the fiscal 2007- 08, showing an increase of 7.70 per cent.

The earnings from freight traffic during March this year were pegged at Rs 4856.96 crore compared to Rs 4108.37 crore during the corresponding period last year, registering an increase of 18.22 per cent.

Railways carried 78.48 million tonnes of freight traffic during that month as compared to 72.43 million tonnes of freight traffic during the corresponding period last year, reflecting an increase of 8.35 per cent.

The Net Tonne Kilo Metres (NTKM) went up from 46124 million March 2007 to 50357 million during March 2008, showing an increase of 9.18 per cent.

Of the total freight earnings during March this year, Rs 1765.60 crore came from transportation of 33.14 million tonnes of coal, followed by Rs 856.96 crore from 13.44 million tonnes of iron ore, Rs 401.69 crore from 7.69 million tonnes of cement and Rs 393.60 crore from 4.08 million tonnes of foodgrains.

The Railways also earned Rs 285.12 crore from 3.41 million tonnes of petroleum oil and lubricant (POL), Rs 278.39 crore from 2.70 million tonnes of iron and finished steel, Rs 190.06 crore from 2.64 million tonnes of container service, Rs 162.88 crore from 2.45 million tonnes of fertilizers, Rs 70.96 crore from 0.96 million tonnes of raw material for steel plants except iron ore and Rs 451.70 crore from 7.97 million tonnes of other goods.

UNI SKS SP KN1603