The following two (2) sections of DFC have been commissioned and dedicated to the nation by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India:-
- Bhaupur to Khurja (351 km) of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) on 29.01.2020.
- Rewari to Madar (306 km) of Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) on 07.01.2021.
Details of freight and freight revenue for the last three years are as under:
|
Year
|
Freight
(in Million Tonnes)
|
Freight Revenue
(in Crores)
|
|
2017-18
|
1159.55
|
Rs. 1,17,055.40
|
|
2018-19
|
1221.48
|
Rs. 1,27,432.72
|
|
2019-20
|
1208.41
|
Rs. 1,13,487.89
|
50% subsidy is being given in transportation of fruits and vegetable by Kisan Rail through a scheme administered by Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
In order to attract more freight business, Railways have taken a number of tariff and non-tariff measures. These, include:-
- Setting up of Business development units to inter alia actively pursue and attract freight business for rail.
- Withdrawal of 15% Busy season surcharge on railway freight for all commodities except iron ore and coal.
- Concession on long lead traffic of 15 to 20% on Coal, Iron-ore and iron & steel.
- Concession on short lead traffic of 10 to 50% for commodities (except Coal and iron-ore)
- 5% discount on loaded Containers & 25% on empty Containers and waiver of stabling charges on Container rakes during COVID till 31st Oct, 2020.
- Specific discounts on commodities such as fly ash.
- Rationalisation of classification of industrial salt.
- Making existing schemes like traditional empty flow directions, wagon investment schemes, PFT, Siding Policy simplified and made more customer friendly.
- Debit/Credit scheme for Demurrage introduced for sidings.
- Launching of Freight Business Development Portal.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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DJN/MKV