New Delhi, Oct 10 (UNI) Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday met who's who of the Automobile Industry leaders to give boost to Automobile loading through Railways.

At the meeting, Representatives of SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers), Tata Motors, Hyundai Motors, Ford Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Honda India, and Maruti Suzuki Ltd, The Automobile Freight Train Operators (AFTOs), Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), who were all part of the meeting, lauded the initiative and committed to work in partnership with Indian Railways to facilitate transportation of automobiles through Railways.

The total loading of automobiles through Railway, which was only 429 rakes in 2013-14, has increased to 1,595 rakes in 2019-20. And in the first six months of the current year (Apr to Sep), Indian Railway has loaded 836 rakes of automobiles against 731 rakes in the previous year (despite almost negligible loading in the first two months).

Railways is aiming to achieve a modal share of 20 per cent by the end of 2021-22, and a modal share of 30 per cent by 2023-24.

The participants in the interaction were informed about the steps taken by Railways to promote loading of automobiles, which has led to this quantum jump – and were asked to bring more loading to Rail.

Among the steps taken by Railways to promote loading of automobiles, haulage charges for BCACBM rakes have not been revised since May 2013; Freight for NMGs has not been revised since May 2018; Increase in the number of NMG rakes – from 30 (on 1st April) to 42; Two-destination loading being permitted in NMG rakes and permitting Export of Automobiles permitted.

Representatives of the industry were all praise for the Railways for the help and support being extended to them – and confirmed that efforts will be on to bring more and more loading towards Railway.

Participant were informed that more terminals were being opened up for Automobile traffic (as per demands of the industry) Charodi (WR), Bakshi Ka Talab (NER), Mesra (ECR). Also, export to Bangladesh in BCACBM rakes is being planned in coordination with Bangladesh Railway. New taller design of auto-carrier wagons (using the envelop of Double Stack Dwarf Containers) being developed by RDSO in consultation with the industry.

Participants were assured that all possible help will be extended to them, and all their concerns and issues will be addressed on priority.
UNI AR SHK1957