Railways to run parcel trains on 20 more routes to carry medicines, masks and food
March 31, 2020: Indian Railways announced that it is already using eight special parcel trains to move essential items like medical supplies, medical equipment and food across the country and will increase it 20 more routes soon.
The railway parcel vans can do quick mass transportation across the nation for the e-commerce entities and other customers including state governments to transport such goods.
March 31, 2020: Indian Railways announced that it is already using eight special parcel trains to move essential items like medical supplies, medical equipment and food across the country and will increase it 20 more routes soon.
The railway parcel vans can do quick mass transportation across the nation for the e-commerce entities and other customers including state governments to transport such goods.
“To ensure an uninterrupted and seamless supply chain of goods and essential commodities in the wake of COVID-19, Indian Railways is offering its services of parcel trains for nationwide transportation of essential commodities and other goods required to meet the needs of citizens of the nation,” says the release.
Ministry of Home Affairs has already removed the restrictions on the movement of goods and commodities in the country during the lockdown period. Provision of parcel trains and rapid transportation of goods will further bolster the efficiency of supply chains. The decision to run special parcel trains will help in the movement of small quantities as well of essential items viz. Dairy Products, Medical Equipments and Medicines, Groceries, Edible oil and other necessary items etc.
Indian Railways is already transporting essential commodities to different parts of the country through freight trains. While these freight operations of Railways are meeting the needs of bulk transportation of essential goods like food grains, edible oil, salt, sugar, coal, cement, milk, vegetables & fruits etc, there are various items that need to be delivered in comparatively smaller quantities. After flights, Railways remain the fastest mode of inter-state transportation for such goods.
Different Zones of Indian Railways are working out their own plans for running these Parcel Trains. They are reaching out to prospective clients through various modes of communication including advertisements.
Details of Parcel Special Trains being run by some zones are as follows:
Total 8 Parcel specials Trains run by Railways since 22.03.2020. In addition, running of Parcel specials is further being planned on 20 routes.
Northern Railway Parcel Special Trains shall run on the following routes:
- New Delhi - Guwahati
- New Delhi - Mumbai Central
- New Delhi - Kalyan
- New Delhi - Howrah
- Chandigarh - Jaipur
- Moga - Chhangsari Parcel Rcp.
Southern Railway Parcel Special Trains shall run on the following routes:
- Coimbatore - Patel Nagar (Delhi region) - Coimbatore
- Coimbatore - Rajkot- Coimbatore
- Coimbatore - Jaipur- Coimbatore
- Salem - Batinda
Central Railway Parcel Special Trains shall run on the following routes:
- Kalyan - New Delhi
- Nashik - New Delhi
- Kalyan - Santraghachi
- Kalyan - Guwahati.
South Eastern Railway Parcel Special Trains shall run on the following routes:
- Sankrail Goods Terminal Yard (SGTY)/Shalimar (SHM) to Kalyan (KYN)
- Sankrail Goods Terminal Yard (SGTY)/Shalimar (SHM) to New Guwahati Goods Shed (NGC)
- Sankrail Goods Terminal Yard(SGTY)/Shalimar(SHM) to Bengaluru (SBC)
South East Central Railway Parcel Special Trains shall run on the following routes:
Movement will be by parcel trains point to point depending upon demand and small space may also be provided in parcel trains planned for running from Mumbai and Kolkata through SECR route.
Industrial houses, companies, any interested groups, organizations, individuals may avail of these services. Interested parties may approach the Railway Parcel Offices and Divisions for registration. Apart from the above, any other Origin - Destination points are also welcome for inquiry and registration. The services will be run as per extant rules and on payment of parcel/freight charges.
