3 Trains from (JU)JODHPUR JN to (MS)CHENNAI EGMORE

दक्षिणपूर्वरेलवे

SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY

प्रेसविज्ञप्ति

PRESS RELEASE

SER PARCEL EXPRESS TRAINS o­n TRACK WITH ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

ANOTHER 5 PARCEL EXPRESS TRAINS PLANNED TO RUN

Kolkata, 7^thApril, 2020:

With a view to ensure adequate supply of essential commodities during Nationwide lockdown, South Eastern Railway has been running 14 pairs of Time Tabled Parcel Express Trains in 8 different routes. These Parcel Express Trains are running towards Southern, Western, Eastern and Northeastern parts of the country with effect from 31.03.2020 and getting good response and patronization.

One Time Tabled Parcel Express Train from KSR Bengaluru/Yesvantpur has arrived Howrah o­n 6^thApril, 2020. The main essential commodities unloaded at Howrah were Medicine, Medical equipments (Masks), Eggs, huge number of Hard Parcel, Mangoes and Papayas. The Time Tabled Parcel Express has also left Howrah yesterday (06-04-2020) towards  KSR Bengaluru/Yesvantpur via Chennai carrying vegetables and other essential daily need items and will stop at Balasore, Guntakal Junction, Nandyal, Vijayawada, Gudur, MGR Chennai Central and then KSR Bengaluru/Yesvantpur. The essential commodities will also be loaded and unloaded at intermediate stoppages enroute.

Keeping in view the demand of essential commodities at every corner, it has also been decided to run 5 more Parcel Express Trains in addition to the existing 8 Parcel Express Trains already running over SER system. The main objective of running these kind of Time Tabled Parcel Express Trains is to maintain the supply chain intact by ensuring timely delivery of essential commodities during the nationwide lockdown. The new routes of the 5 Parcel Express Trains are as under:

ØKalyan-Shalimar/Howrah

ØYesvantpur-Chennai-Howrah

ØPorbandar-Howrah

ØItwari-Tatanagar

ØShalimar-Tatanagar-Ranchi

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Press Release No. 2020/04Mumbai, 5^thApril, 2020

WESTERN RAILWAY’S PARCEL EXPRESS TRAINS o­n THE MOVE ENSURING SUPPLY OF ESSENTIALS

From 22^nd March to 4^th April, 2020, on WR total 769 rakes have been used to supply essential commodities

Western Railway’s Parcel Express trains are o­n the move as per the timetable of 4 trains with 18 trips. During the lockdown period in the wake of COVID19, Western Railway has taken the responsibility of transporting essential items like medical supplies, medical equipment, food, etc in small parcel sizes across the nation, as it is fully committed to the needs ofits customers. WR is also ensuring the supply of milk and milk products to different parts of the country.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar - Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, o­ne parcel express train is scheduled toleave from Kankariya in Gujarat to Chennai Central o­n 5th April, 2020 and o­ne train which had left Ludhiana o­n 3^rd April 2020, has reached Bandra Terminus. Similarly, the train which left Karambeli in Gujarat o­n 2^ndApril 2020 has reached Changsari in Assam. All best possible efforts are being made by WR to ensure the regular supply of essential commodities across all parts of country, through its freight trains. Four timetabled trains were planned to run by WR with 18 trips between 31^st March to 15^thApril, 2020. Western Railway through its Parcel Express trains carry commodities such as Milk Product, Edible Oil, Spices, Groceries and Biscuits, dry grass etc. Since the lockdown period till now, from 22^nd March to 4^th April, 2020, total 769 rakes have been used to supply essential commodities amounting to 1.61 million tonnes. 1940 freight trains were interchanged with other railways, including 952 trains handed over and 888 trains taken over at different interchange points. 16 Millennium Parcel rakes of Parcel Vans/Railway Milk Tankers (RMTs) have been sent to different parts of the country to cope the demands of essential items such as milk powder, liquid milk and other general consumer goods.

Shri Bhakar stated that total losses over Western Railway up to3^rdApril, 2020 has been Rs 264.27 Cr (inclusive of suburban+ non-suburban). Inspite of this, Western Railway has also successfully refunded Rs. 134.47 crore against cancellation of tickets till now and in Mumbai Division itself refund of Rs. 63.48 crore has been made. In all 21.23 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received refund accordingly.

Freight movement is being closely monitored by officials at very senior level. Issues which were earlier being faced by Railways at many terminal points in loading and unloading operations are being effectively resolved. Indian Railways along with Ministry of Home Affairs is keeping in touch with State Governments to sort out any such operational issue if they arise.

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