The Railways Board rationalizes freight rates for Parcel traffic with discount schemes

Maligaon, Oct 29: To facilitate traders to carry small quantities of goods in a faster and more secured way through Parcel trains, Indian Railways has decided to rationalize its Parcel rates. Railway Board has now decided to empower the Principal Chief Commercial Managers of each Zonal Railways to introduce a discount of upto 30% under certain conditions for transportation through Parcel van/ train. The conditions under which the aforementioned discount scheme can be granted will be as under:-

1. For piece-meal Parcel Vans and indented Parcel trains:

For piece-meal Parcel Vans and indented Parcel trains, a discount of up to a maximum of 30% (thirty percent), on the applicable scale of charging as per rules, may be granted; provided the utilization of Parcel Vans returning to other Railways after unloading on the Zonal Railway, has been below 40% during the previous three (03) months.

1. For space in SLRs/Brake-vans of passenger-carrying trains:

For SLRs/Brake-vans of passenger-carrying trains, a train specific discount of up to a maximum of 30% (thirty percent), on the applicable scale of charging as per rules, may be granted subject to the following conditions:

1. The utilization of SLRs/Brake-vans of such trains has been below 40% during the previous three (03) months, and
2. No demand for leasing has been received during the last three years, and there is no demand for advance booking.

This discount may be granted for all intra/inter-Railway trains. However, no discount shall be granted on Luggage Rates for luggage bookings.

This discount will initially be applicable till 31.03.2021, and thereafter shall be reviewed every six months by the respective Zonal Railways.

Depending on the utilization of Parcel space during the previous six months, the Principal Chief Commercial Manager of the Railway may decide to extend the discount or to reduce the discount completely.

It is also to mention that to facilitate traders to carry their goods with ease and to attract new streams of traffic, Railways has taken several steps in recent times including developing identified goods sheds, notifying alternative goods sheds in lieu of busy goods sheds for loading or unloading of goods with added incentives and formation of Business Development Units at Zonal Head Quarter and Divisional levels etc.

Interested traders can contact the Business Development Units of their respective area for any assistance and clarifications regarding transportation of their goods through Railways.