Despite a ban on iron ore exports from Karnataka, South Western Railway has managed to recover its freight volume by largely carrying coal and foodgrains.

According to Mr AK Mital GM of South Western Railway, the railway's has carried 23.8 million tonnes in the first nine months of this financial year against 25.6 million tonnes carried in the same period last year. As for the originating freight earnings up to December 31st 2011, stood at around INR 1,658.82 crore, which is 21.59% less than the previous year earnings.

Mr Mital added that “The performance in the last nine months of the current financial year (2011-12), has been satisfactory as for as passenger traffic is concerned. The number of Passengers carried has gone up from 128.96 millions to 139.43 millions, registering an increase of 8.12%. The originating Passenger earnings have also increased by 7.45% from INR 783.30 crore to INR 841.65 crore.”

South Western Railway has achieved punctuality of 94.5% surpassing target of 90 per cent set by Railway Board during the year 2011-12. Also to provide comfortable rail travel to passengers, a number of measures have been taken to improve safety, security, passenger amenities, cleanliness and punctuality.

(Sourced from BL)