296 Trains from (PCHT)PUNAICHAK H to (RVN)RAJIV NAGAR H

In another milestone achievement, the Sivok - Rangpo Rail Project has achieved a breakthrough in Tunnel No. 12 o­n 24^th December, 2022. This is fifth main tunnel breakthrough in this project which was done in presence of officers of Northeast Frontier Railway, IRCON international limited and construction agency CS-Dhorajia along with local administration of West Bengal.

The length of Tunnel No. 12 is 1406 m located between Tarkhola and Shukia Khola in Kalimpong district of West Bengal. The tunnel traverses through vulnerable and challenging geological conditions of the lesser Himalayan range. To counter vulnerability of the groundmass, latest and most sophisticated tunnelling technology has been adopted. Not o­nly the top class and well experienced engineers from India, but also the highly experienced foreign engineers are involved in this project. Breakthrough of the tunnel was another awaited moment, as there were many difficulties due to poor geology in the new Himalayan range.

Sivok Rangpo New BG Rail Line Project is about 45 km long consisting of 14 nos. tunnels, 17 nos. bridges and 5 nos. stations. 38.65 km of the entire project is passing through tunnels, out of this 25.094 km of tunnel mining work have been completed. At present all the activities related to construction of Tunnels, Bridges and Stations in the project are going o­n war footing basis and targeted to complete by December, 2023.

With its completion, the connectivity of the land locked state Sikkim will get a major boost. o­nce operational, the project will provide overall development for the state. People of the region will get long distance access across the country and uninterrupted supply of essential goods can be done to Sikkim to cater to the needs of the people.

WESTERN RAILWAY ACHIEVES THE HIGHEST EVER FREIGHT LOADING IN 2021-22 CREATING A NEW MILESTONE

WR achieves freight loading of 87.91 MT; 8.9% more than last year

Unhindered supply chain of essential goods during COVID-19

Western Railway's goods & parcel special trains have been traversing across the country to keep the supply of essential commodities moving, even during the difficult time of the COVID pandemic. Through sustained efforts, WR has achieved freight loading of 87.91% in financial year 2021-22 which is 8.9% more than last year of 80.71 MT.  This achievement has also broken the 7 year old record set in 2014-15 of 87.29 MT. Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti – General Manager of Western & Central Railway congratulated team WR o­n achieving this feat.

According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, turning crisis into opportunity, Western Railway has significantly increased its loading in Coal, Cement, Salt, Auto rakes, Container and Iron & Steel segments. During FY 2021-22 Western Railway has achieved its best-ever loading in Container (25.13.MT), Cement (14.61 MT), Iron & Steel (2.08 MT), Salt (7.41 MT) and Automobile (395 rakes).

Shri Thakur further stated that revenue from goods in FY 2021-22 is approx. Rs. 10858 Cr which is 8.22 % higher than last year. Western Railway also achieved the highest revenue from Container traffic of Rs. 2429.18 Cr – making it the highest o­n Indian Railways. In addition to this, Western Railway had its several firsts in FY 2021-22, such as Commissioning of the FirstGati Shakti Multimodal Cargo Terminalof M/s CONCOR served by Varnama (CGMV) of Vadodara Division o­n 29^thMarch 2022, Loading of Textiles for the first time in NMG rakes from Surat area, Leasing of Parcel Van in Rajdhani Express, etc. WR ran a total of 198 Kisan Rail Parcel Special trains fetching a revenue of Rs. 20.29 Cr for the transportation of o­nions, garlic, chikoo, raw bananas, etc. Western Railway also commissioned new goods shed in the FY 2021-22 at Dhoraji, Runija, Asarva, Kharirohar Road and Ranavav to boost freight traffic from these areas. In 2021-22 WR added new and additional traffic comprising 2829 rakes which have generated a revenue of Rs. 1030.64 Cr.

Shri Thakur also said that this increase in momentum has been possible due to various initiatives taken by WR to boost the freight traffic. Western Railway introduced various incentive schemes as per the directives of the Ministry of Railways to attract freight transporters in order to tie up with Railways for transportation of their goods & parcels. Additionally, Business Development Units (BDUs) have also been formed at the Headquarter level and over all Divisions for attracting new traffic and increasing the rail share in the existing stream of traffic. This has enabled in providing the best facilities to freight customers and also increased revenue.

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