MRTS to operate additional local trains in Chennai from 14 March onwards
Tamil Nadu: Chennai, March 14 (HS):Southern Railway will operate additional 20 pairs of local trains in its Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) route in Chennai from today onwards. MRTS route connects Chennai Beach with Velachery.
Sources from Southern Railway say that this is being done to cater to the travel needs of essential service staff of central and state governments and other organizations and extra crowd travelling on Sundays in workmen specials in MRTS route.
As of now, 28 pairs of workmen specials are being operated during Sundays in MRTS section connecting Chennai Beach – Velachery stations. From 14 March onwards, an additional 20 pairs of services are being introduced.
The revised schedule of workmen specials with additional services (a total of 48 pairs) on Sundays will be effective from 14 March onwards.
Freight loading
Indian Railways has once again proved its mettle by surpassing last year’s cumulative freight loading way before the year end.
In spite of Covid challenges, on 11 March 2021, Indian Railways achieved cumulative freight loading of 1145.68 million tonnes which is higher as compared to last year’s total cumulative loading of 1145.61 million tonnes.
On a month to month basis as well, as on 11 March, the loading for the month of March 2021 is 43.43 million tonnes, which is 10% higher as compared to last year’s loading for the same period.
Freight figures continue to maintain the high momentum in terms of loading and speed in the month of March 2021 as well for Indian Railways.
On a day to day basis, on 11 March 2021, the freight loading of Indian Railways was 4.07 million tonnes, which is 34% higher than last loading for the same date which was 3.03 million tonnes.
The average speed of freight trains of Indian Railways in the month of March 2021 till 11 March was 45.49 kmph which is almost double as compared to last year for the same period which was 23.29 kmph.
It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions / discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive.
Strong emergence of business development units in zones and divisions, constant dialogue with the industry and logistics service providers, faster speed etc. are adding to the robust growth of freight business for the Railways.
It may be noted that COVID -19 has been interpreted by Indian Railways as an opportunity to improve all-round efficiencies and performances.
