Northeast Frontier Railway improves freight-customer interface

GUWAHATI: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is taking several steps to increase the ease of carrying goods through trains. To further improve the transportation of freight, the following steps have been taken by the NFR:

* New stations have been opened for handling inward and outward goods traffic. A few more railway stations have been opened for freight traffic during September enabling the easier transportation of various goods by customers and transporters.

* Several virtual meetings were held with multinational companies and stakeholders for attracting piecemeal loading to ensure their movement in 'Block rake' similar to the concept of 'Garland Train'. In this connection, Divisional and HQ Officers are regularly appraising the traders about the incentive schemes and policy initiatives to attract additional traffic.

* For the first time in NFR, a Private Freight Terminal (PFT) was commissioned at New Jalpaiguri under Katihar Division; which is the first PFT commissioned in NF Railway so far.

* The New Harangajao station under Lumding Division was opened for handling of outward stone chips and boulder traffic with effect from September 29, 2020. Jirania, Salchapra stations under Lumding Division and Furkating and New Tinsukia stations under Tinsukia Division have been opened for handling of 'Automobile Traffic' (NMG rakes) with effect from September 29, 2020 till further order.

* Due to the efforts of Business Development Unit (BDU) of Rangiya Division, a new stream of traffic came to this railway when two parcel vans were loaded with Amul Brand milk and ITC food products for Agartala. Similarly, due to BDU initiatives, two rakes of maize were diverted from Roadways to Railways in the Katihar Division.

* Altogether nine parcel vans were loaded from Azara to Naharlagun with Pepsi product with earning revenue of Rs 2.59 lakh and seven parcel vans were loaded from Azara to Agartala with earning revenue of Rs 2.90 lakh last month. Altogether two NMG rakes (automobile) consisting 31 Motor Tractors were transported from Changsari to Dadri. It has generated revenue to the tune of Rs 32.12 lakh. A total of two mini rakes of fertilizer were booked generating revenue of Rs 20.34 lakh. And, 102 wagons consisting of cement —with earning revenue of Rs 46 lakh, were booked at Lumding.

* The Vishwanath Charali station under Rangiya Division was opened for inward goods traffic and one full rake of wheat was received on September 12, 2020.

* Further, 'No Objection Certificates' were issued for handling of round-trip leased Parcel Cargo Express Trains (PCETs) in the routes of MOGA-Changasari-MOGA and Vanjipalaiyam New Guwahati-Vanjipalaiyam routes to Northern Railway and Southern Railway respectively. This move will ensure speedy transportation of packaged goods from Southern and Northern India to the North East region, stated a release.

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