(a) whether the Railways have recently announced rebate for cargo carried during the lean season;
(b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Railways have also announced certain relaxation in the rules for penalizing detention of wagons beyond a specified time; and
(d) if so, the details thereof ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Freight concession of 20% for traffic in empty flow direction of wagon and freight concession of 15% for loading during non-peak period is admissible subject to fulfillment of certain terms and conditions. Either of these two concessions can be availed at a time during the period from July, 2005 to September, 2005. These concessions have been announced with a view to fully utilize the transport capacity of the Railways and to attract incremental freight traffic.
(c) & (d) Yes, Sir. The following relaxations have been permitted in the free time allowed for loading and unloading of wagons w.e.f.15.7.2005:
- Free time for loading and unloading of jumbo rakes has been increased uniformly from 8 hours to 9 hours.
- Free time for unloading of tank wagon rakes has been increased from 5 hours to 7 hours.
- The maximum limit of additional free time for extra shunting, placement/removal of rakes etc. has been increased to 2 hours.
- Free time for mechanized unloading of open wagons has been increased from 5 hours to 6 hours.