Date:29/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/29/stories/2007092957580100.htm

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Railway’s new move

S. Vijay Kumar

MADURAI: In a move that is expected to make transportation of fly ash easy and cost-effective, the Madurai Division of Southern Railway has come out with a new method.

With freight booking badly hit this year, its commercial managers have offered to transport fly ash from thermal power stations to cement factories in giant polythene bags, each of which can carry 4 tonnes. Divisional Railway Manager Hemant Kumar said that the new system would bring in more business for the railways. The division had suffered a shortfall of 3.5 lakh tonnes of loading this year compared to the corresponding period in 2005-06.

“The movement of fertilizers, imported food grains and gypsum has come down drastically. Freight earnings went up by 33 per cent last year. Negotiations are on with salt manufacturers in Tuticorin and we have agreed to offer some incentives.”

The loading of food grains is expected to increase after the inauguration of the Central Warehousing Corporation’s godown that is in the final stages of completion at Koodal Nagar. The Container Corporation of India officials, who operate a depot at Koodal Nagar, are working out novel strategies to boost container booking.

On the modernisation front, Mr. Hemant Kumar said that a new system of checking berths released under emergency quota had been developed by the division. “Passengers whose original PNR is cancelled or whose berth (under EQ) is confirmed without coach particulars can now get the details through a touch screen system at the railway station.”