'Freight blocks' are the next growth engine for Indian Railways

The move by the Indian Railways means further delays, even cancellations, of passenger trains

Struggling to compete with roads for a bigger share in freight loading, the Indian Railways is exploring a new concept called “freight block”. 

During a block of five to six hours, a bunch of freight trains is getting a clear passage on busy routes at the cost of mail and express passenger trains. Traditionally, freight trains give way to passenger trains. 

The block system was initiated in September to improve the movement of rakes required for loading coal and other commodities.

"We are looking at additional 30 per cent daily freight movement on busy routes through such blocks. We are expanding it across the country,” said Girish Pillai, member (traffic) of the Railway Board. A schedule for such blocks would be drawn once or twice a week and would try to see that the movement of passenger trains is not hampered. Pillai said though the Railways wouldn’t cancel mail or express trains at present, the option existed.

Blocks have already started helping freight movement and earnings. In October, the Railways posted a 21 per cent increase in freight earnings to Rs 115.07 billion compared to Rs 95.23 billion during the same period last year.

In October, it transported 101.99 million tonne (mt), compared to 92.98 mt during the same period last year. Though October is one of the busier months, the growth compares well to a mere 5 per cent annual growth in freight traffic at 1,160 mt in 2017-18 from 1,109 mt in 2016-17.

During the first 10 months of this financial year, freight traffic saw only 6 per cent increase in volume to 690.23 mt. During the period, the Railways earned Rs 651.22 billion.

The move though will enhance the Railways kitty, it would harm it in an area where it has been facing a lot of flak — punctuality of passenger trains.

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“Passenger trains’ punctuality may worsen. But it has to be appreciated that the move will help in freight movement, which gives more revenue to the Railways over the years. A 30 per cent increase in freight movement will give an edge to Railways over road,” V N Mathur, former railway board member, said.

The move is still important for the Railways as growth in passenger traffic has been almost flat over the past five years. From April to October, the number of passengers was up only 2 per cent to 4,950 million compared to 4,865 million during the same period last year. However, this is a slight improvement compared to 2017-18, when it increased by only 0.82 per cent, and 2016-17, when it rose just 1 per cent. Prior to that, the numbers dropped 3 per cent in 2015-16, 2.5 per cent in 2014-15, and 3 per cent in 2013-14.

Officials told Business Standard that to maximise throughput during freight blockades, the Railways is doing detailed planning of load, locomotives and crew. Moreover, principal chief operation managers would personally monitor freight convoy, so that block time is utilised to the maximum.

Officials said that such blocks are currently conducted on key routes like Asansol-Jhajha-Barauni section, Ghaziabad-Allahabad-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (Mughalsarai), and Bilaspur-Jharsuguda-Rourkela sections, among others.