ACHHNERA JN

WR Press Release No. 2020/04Mumbai, 24^th April, 2020

WR TO RUN 2 TRIPS OF o­nE MORE TIMETABLED PARCEL SPECIAL TRAIN BETWEEN PALANPUR – SANKRAIL & EXTEND TWO TRIPS OFPALANPUR – SALCHAPRA

PARCEL SPECIAL TRAIN

In the wake of the lockdown to contain the spread of the deadly Corona virus, Western Railway's staff from various departments is ensuring to continue to display grit and commitment through their exemplary services. This is so because, Western Railway is fully committed to its customers and continues to ensure supply of essential commodities to different parts of the country. As an unique initiative, WR has scheduled special timetabled Parcel trains during lockdown period to various parts of the country. In addition to this, o­ne more timetabled parcel special train has been planned to run between Palanpur & Sankrail Goods Terminal and2 trips has been extended of the Palanpur – Salchapra parcel special train.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar-Chief Public Relations Officerof Western Rly, for smooth transport of essential commodities, o­ne timetabled special parcel train with 2 trips will run between Palanpur & Sankrail and 2 more trips will run between Palanpur & Salchapra. Details of these trains are as follows :-

●Palanpur – Sankrail parcel special train (2 trips)

Train No 00945 Palanpur – Sankrail parcel special will leave from Palanpur at 23.00 hrs o­n 28^th April, 2020 and reach Sankrail at 08.35 hrs o­n 30^th April, 2020. Similarly, Train No 00946 Sankrail – Palanpur parcel special train will leave Sankrail at 00.50 hrs o­n 2^ndMay, 2020 to reach Palanpur at 10.45 hrs the next day. The train will halt at Abu Road, Marwar Jn, Ajmer Jn, Phulera Jn, Jaipur, Yamuna Bridge, Prayagraj Jn, Dindayal Upadhyay Jn, Gaya, Gomo Jn and Asansol stations in both directions.

●Palanpur – Salchapra parcel special train (2 trips)

Train No 00909 Palanpur – Salchapra parcel special train will leave Palanpur at 23.30 hrs o­n 26^thApril, 2020 and reach Salchapra at 23.55 hrs o­n 28^th April, 2020. Similarly, Train No 00910 Salchapra – Palanpur parcel special train will leave Salchapra at 15.00 hrs o­n 29^th April, 2020 to reach Palanpur at 16.50 hrs o­n1^st May, 2020. The train will halt at Marwar, Ajmer, Jaipur, Bharatpur Jn, Achhnera Jn, Agra Fort, Tundla, Prayagraj Jn, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn, Sonpur, Katihar, New Jalpaiguri, New Bongaigaon, Changsari, New Guwahati, Lumding and Badarpur stations in both directions.

Shri Bhakar stated that since 23^rd March to 23^rd April, 2020, fifteen milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of more than 10000 tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons generating revenue of Rs 1.84 crore. Similarly, 78 Covid-19 special parcel trains were also run during this period to transport essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was Rs 2.53 crore. In addition to this, 4 indented rakes carrying 1864 tonnes were also run with 100% utilization generating revenue of more than Rs 77 lakh. During 23^rd March to 23^rd April, 2020, medicines along with medical goods, such as masks, sanitizers, PPE , surgical goods etc weighing almost 670 tonnes were transported generating earnings of more than Rs 23 lakhs.Such tremendous loading has been possible due to constant efforts by all concerned teams of WR. Shri Bhakar further said six parcel special trains left from WR to various parts of the country o­n 24^thApril, 2020 viz. Bandra Terminus – Ludhiana, Bandra Terminus - Okha,Bhuj – Dadar, Okha – Bandra Terminus, Porbandar – Shalimar and Kankaria – Cuttack. o­ne milk rake also left from Palanpur to Hind Terminal.

Shri Bhakar stated that during the lockdown period from 22^nd March to 23^rd April, 2020, total 2122 rakes of goods trains have been used by WR to supply essential commodities amounting to 4.59 million tonnes. 4444 freight trains were interchanged with other railways, including 2233 trains handed over and 2211 trains taken over at different interchange points.  97 Millennium Parcel rakes of Parcel Vans/Railway Milk Tankers (RMTs) have been sent to different parts of the country to supply as per the demands of essential items such as milk powder, liquid milk and other general consumer goods. The total losses over Western Railway up to 23^rdApril, 2020 have been estimated as Rs 545.67 Cr (inclusive of suburban + non-suburban). Inspite of this, Western Railway has ensured to refund Rs. 204.27 crore due to cancellation of tickets till now. It's worth mentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai Division itself, has ensured refund of Rs. 99.58 crore. Till now, 32.29 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly.

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