SCR REPORTS RISE IN FREIGHT SERVICES

Despite the lockdown, the freight services of the south central railway (SCR) continue to chug on.

According to the general manager, SCR, Gajanan Mallya, there has been an increase in the amount of foodgrains transported in the trains during the Covid-19 pandemic. The SCR managed to run special trains, including parcel cargo express trains, Shramik specials and passenger special trains.

“We transported two metric tonnes during this time last year. This time it has doubled to 4.3 metric tonnes. The southern zone’s performance during the last six months of lockdown, has been above par,” Mallya said. However, its earnings through passenger services are close to ` 4,500

5,000 crore every year. “but this year, we have not made more than ` 500 crore in passenger services,” added Mallya.

This year some major infrastructure work was taken up. This included setting up scissor crossings with pre-stressed concrete (PSC) sleepers at Kazipet and Vijayawada, replacement or reinforcement of 23 bridges and comprehensive track maintenance on the second rail-cum-road bridge on the Godavari River. New work that have been sanctioned in Telangana include a

32 kms line between Manoharabad and Gajwel, a 30 kms double line between Shadnagar and Gollapalli and an 11 kms line between Jaklair and Makhtal.

“There have been requests from some quarters to run Shramik special trains for migrant workers seeking to come back. We will have to get approval from the MHA to take it forward. We are going to get new trains in the future,” Mallya said. On the MMTS front, Mallyaadded, the SCR is trying to finish all levels of the transportation system.

THIS YEAR some major infrastructure work was taken up. This included setting up scissor crossings with prestressed concrete sleepers at Kazipet and Vijayawada, replacement or reinforcement of 23 bridges and comprehensive track maintenance on the second rail-cum-road bridge on the Godavari River. New work that have been sanctioned in Telangana include a 32 km line between Manoharabad and Gajwel.