The Eastern Railway has posted an increased earnings in the first three quarters of 1999-2000 to Rs 2,673 crore against Rs 2,433 crore earned in the corresponding period a year ago. The zonal railway's working expense during the 9-month period was Rs 2590 crore leaving a gross surplus of Rs 83 crore. The South Eastern Railway, whose freight loading was affected by the Orissa cyclone and port strike, is trying hard to reach the year's loading target of 166 million tonnes. Till January 2000, the loading was 135.5 million tonnes, which was slightly higher than 131.3 million tonnes loaded in the corresponding 10-month period in the earlier financial year. In January 2000, the loading was 14.85 million tonnes, which was 1.6 million tonne higher than the loading in January 1999. The loading performance was particularly encouraging in the cement sector. It is now left with the task of loading 30.5 million tonnes in February and March to reach the target.
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