Junior Railway Minister Suresh Angadi reviews freight related performance of NF Railway

All Divisional Railway Managers of NFR were also present through video conferencing during the occasion.

GM/NFR made a brief presentation to the Union minister covering all the aspects of freight movement till August.

As Northeast Frontier Railway is basically a railway where there is more unloading of goods than loading, the performance of NFR in regards to unloading vis-a-vis to loading was discussed in the video conference.

During the online discussion the minister appreciated the efforts being made by NFR to increase loading by attracting new traffic movement through railways.

It may be mentioned here that in spite of the pandemic situation and absence of big industrial production houses in NE region, NFR managed to increase loading of some materials during April-August segment of the current year in comparison to the same period of last year.

During this period of the current year, loading of cement has increased by about 278.9% while loading of POL products has increased by about 9 per cent.

The Minister of State of Railways during discussion advised to give more impetus to loading of locally grown products like tea, bamboo, pineapple, ginger etc apart from other agricultural and non-agricultural products which are having good demands in other parts of the country.

GM/NFR apprised the Minister of State of Railways that the team of officers and staff of NFR have made relentless efforts to increase movement of freight and about the result of the initiatives taken by the Business Development Units (BDUs) of NFR. This includes loading 13 freight loaded rakes of food grains from Katihar division to Bangladesh (earlier used to be moved by road).

Stone chip loading from Alipurduar division to Digaru and from Panchgram & Sribar to Jirania has started thereby generating revenue. Stone chips are also being transported to Bangladesh from Bagdogra.

GM/NFR informed that to improve the scenario, a total of 14 new locations have been opened for loading and unloading of freight during the month of August.

Facilities at goods sheds have also been improved resulting in speedier loading/ unloading of goods trains.

As a result of this in the month of August 897 freight trains were unloaded in NFR in comparison to 722 rakes during the corresponding period of last year, thereby showing an increase of about 24.2%.

The Minister of State of Railways congratulated GM and the team of officers and staff of NFR for their efforts towards increase of freight movement, increase in average speed of goods trains and bringing in new traffic streams.

The Minister said that Railway is working tirelessly towards the clarion call given by Prime Minister for Atmanirbhar Bharat.