NEW DELHI: Despite the Covid challenges, Indian Railways continues to accelerate the momentum in the FY 2021-22 with record freight loading.

In this fiscal year 2021-22, Indian Railways surpassed the loading figures of the year 2020 & 2019 that is 185.04 MT (2021 year) compared to 116.1 MT (2020 year) and 167.66 MT (2019 year) which shows the growth of 59.38 % & 10.37 % respectively.

In this period, Indian Railways earned Rs. 18542.8 crores from freight loading. It is 4.92% higher than the year 2019 earning from freight which was Rs. 17674 Crores & 75.93% higher than the year 2020 (Rs 10540.1) for the same period.

Indian Railways has maintained the momentum of highest ever loading in consecutive 09 respective months from September, 2020 to May, 2021.

On mission mode, Indian Railways' Freight loading for the month of May 2021 crossed 2019 & 2020 year’s loading and earnings for the same period.

Coal sector has shown a sustained growth. Indian Railways loaded 88.15 MT Coal in this FY 2021-22 which is a growth of 54.03% compared to the last year 2020 (57.23 MT) and 1.39% compared to the year 2019 loading (86.94 MT).

In the month of May 2021 (till date), Indian Railways loading was 73.45 million tonnes which is 44.99% higher compare to last year’s loading for the same period (50.66 million tonnes). It is 10.27% higher than the year 2019 loading figures (66.61 MT) for the same period.

Indian Railways loading was 73.45 million tonnes which includes 35.62 million tonnes of coal, 9.77 million tonnes of iron ore, 3.38 million tonnes of foodgrains, 2.22 million tonnes of fertilizers, 2.02 million tonnes of mineral oil and 3.15 million tonnes of cement (excluding clinker).

In May, 2021, Indian Railways earned Rs. 7368.00 Crores from freight loading which is also 62.20% higher compared to last year’s earnings for the same month (Rs. 4541.21 crores) & 4.93% higher compared to the year 2019 earning figures (Rs.7021.75 Crores) for the same period.

It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/ discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive.

It may be noted that freight trains’ speed has also registered significant increase in the existing network.

COVID 19 has been used by Indian Railways an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.