7 Trains from (NCJ)NAGERCOIL JN to (MAS)CHENNAI CENTRAL

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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Press Release No. 2020/04Mumbai, 4^thApril, 2020

WESTERN RAILWAY KEEPS CONTINUOUSSUPPLY OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES THROUGH ITS PARCEL EXPRESS TRAINS DESPITE CORONA LOCKDOWN

During the lockdown period in the wake of COVID19, despite of challenging situations with limited transport options, Western Railway have 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. In continuation to this, 18 trips of 4 special Parcel Express trains are being operated over WR, to ensure 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, in addition to these parcel express trains, allbest 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^stMarch to 15^th April, 2020 comprising of 12 trips between Bandra Terminus & Ludhiana, 2 trips between Kankariya & Sankrail Goods terminal, 2 trips between Karambeli & Changsari and 2 trips between Kankaria and Chennai Central. Out of these, 4 trips of 3 trains have already departedin last 4 days. o­ne is fromKankaria in Ahmedabad to Sankrail goods terminal at West Bangal, two from Bandra Terminus to Ludhiana and o­ne from Karambeli in Gujarat to Changsari in Assam have departed for their destinations as per their time tables. 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 3^rd April, 2020, total 708 rakes have been used to supply essential commodities amounting to 1.48 million tonnes. 1802 freight trains were interchanged with other railways, including 882 trains handed over and 820 trains taken over at different interchange points. 15 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 249.98 Cr (inclusive of suburban+ non-suburban). Inspite of this, Western Railway has also successfully refunded Rs. 133.92 crores against cancellation of tickets till now and in Mumbai Division itself refund of Rs. 63.21 crores has been made. In all 21.16 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received refund accordingly.

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