Eyeing 20 pc share in automobile transportation by 2021-22, Railway min meets industry leaders

With an aim to achieve a share of 20 per cent by end of 2021-22 and 30 per cent by 2023-24 in transportation of automobiles, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday met auto industry leers to encour m to use rail network.
 

Representatives of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Tata Motors, Hyundai Motors, Ford Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Honda India, and Maruti Suzuki Ltd, Automobile Freight Train Operators (AFTOs), Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA), participated in meeting, a statement from Railway Ministry said.

total loing of automobiles through railways was only 429 rakes in 2013-14, which has increased to 1,595 rakes in 2019-20. In first six months of current year (April to September), railways has loed 836 rakes of automobiles against 731 rakes in previous year (despite almost negligible loing in first two months).

" railways is aiming to achieve a modal share of 20% by end of 2021-22, and a modal share of 30% by 2023-24. participants in interaction were informed about steps taken by railways to promote loing of automobiles, which has led to this quantum jump and were asked to bring more loing to rail," statement ded.

railways has taken a series of steps to facilitate automobile loing, including n revision of haul charges for BCACBM (Bogie Covered Autorake Double Decker Wagon) rakes since May 2013. railways has also permitted export of automobiles to Banglesh and Nepal. It has also opened seven new terminals for automobile loing in Chitpur (ER); Penukonda (SWR); Nasrala (NR); Nautanva (NER) for traffic to Nepal; Salchapara, Furkating, & New Tinsukia (all NFR).
 

" participants were informed that more terminals are being opened up for automobile traffic(as per demands of industry) Charodi (WR), Bakshi Ka Talab (NER), Mesra (ECR). Also, export to Banglesh in BCACBM rakes being planned in coordination with Banglesh Railway. New taller design of auto-carrier wagons(using envelope of Double Stack Dwarf Containers) being developed by RDSO in consultation with industry," statement said.

participants were assured that all possible help will be extended to m, and all ir concerns and issues will be dressed on priority, it ded.

(IM CREDITS:PTI)