(a) whether the freight transportation by rail has declined over the years;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Railways have any mechanism to gauge efficiency of their freight transportation in the country; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the measures taken/being taken by the Railways to improve the efficiency of their freight traffic?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a): No, Madam.
(b): Does not arise.
(c) & (d) : Operating indices like Wagon Turn Round(WTR), Wagon Kilometre per wagon per day, Net Tonne Kilometre per wagon per day, Engine Kilometre per day per engine in use, etc. are used to gauge efficiency of freight traffic. Improvement of efficiency in freight traffic is a continuous process through operational improvements, technological upgradation, modernization, augmentation of infrastructure (fixed and moving assets), adoption of Information Technology (IT) in various areas of Railway working etc. Some specific measures are as follows:
(i) Increasing the axle load for carrying additional traffic per wagon. Length of freight trains has also been increased to carry more traffic per train.
(ii) Use of extensive computerization in freight operations to improve monitoring and utilization of assets.
(iii) Deployment of higher capacity locomotives and higher capacity wagons.
(iv) Improvement in maintenance practices of wagons and locomotives resulting in increased availability of rolling stock for traffic use.
(v) Improvement in track and signalling to carry higher volume of traffic.
(vi) Training staff and officers to adopt the new technology and management practices.