(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the news
item appearing in `Hindustan Times` dated July 11, 2005 wherein it has been
stated that the Railways has registered negative growth in the year`s first quarter;
(b) if so, the facts of the matter reported therein; and
(c) the steps initiated by the Railways to overcome negative growth?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)
(a) to (c) A statement is attached.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION
NO.719 BY SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON
28-7-2005 REGARDING GROWTH IN RAILWAYS
(a) to (c) The said news item refers to a negative growth registered in the first quarter of the
fiscal under Sundry earnings only, which constitute only around 2% of the Railways` traffic
earnings. Total traffic earnings of the Railways in the first quarter have registered a growth
of 14.58% over the corresponding period of last year. Traffic earnings under each category
in the quarter are as under:
(Rs. in cr.)
Category To end of To end of Growth over June, 2004 June, 2005 June, 2004 (Approx.)
Passenger earnings 3504.51 3808.69 8.68%
Other Coaching earnings 216.90 263.20 21.35%
Goods earnings 7091.34 8367.98 18.00%
Sundry earnings 199.84 178.32 -10.77%
Total traffic earnings 11012.59 12618.19 14.58%