Indian Railways prioritises coal traffic

COAL transportation by Indian Railways (IR) in terms of tonnage and NTKM has increased by 11.92% and 24.51% in this current fiscal year (up to February).

Loading of rakes for power sector from various sources in the current fiscal year (April-Feb) is 408 rakes per day against 344 rakes per day in last year, an increase of 64 rakes per day.

In the month of February 2023, 426.3 rakes per day have been loaded for power stations against 399 rakes per day in February 2022 some increases of 27.3 rakes. In order to meet the projected demand for rakes by the power sector in the coming fiscal year, a number of actions have been taken.

Higher induction of coal carrying wagons - 7692

BOXNHL and 1052 BOBRN wagons have been inducted during April 2022 to January 2023. Around 32,534 BOXNHL and 2450 BOBRN wagons indents pending.

During the current FY, 1018 freight locomotive have been added to the fleet of IR until the end of February 2023. This increase is expected to continue.

Some 4500 kms of new track is expected to be commissioned in 2022-23, the majority of which is on coal carrying routes. This will further improve turnaround of coal-carrying rakes.

Keeping in view the rising demand in the next few years, a comprehensive planning of the Energy Corridor has been done with planned investment of one lakh crores ($15.3 billion) ranging over some 100 projects.