March 22, 2002

    During 2000-01, average number of wagon in a goods train (broad gauge) was 108 wagons in terms of four wheeler unit (FWUs). The requirement of wagons is dependent on the projection for freight traffic, condemnation of wagons and the wagon productivity norm of the year in question. Taking these factors into account, procurement target for year 2002-03 has been arrived at 17,000 broad gauge wagons (FWUs).

    Wagons are withdrawn from service as soon as they are declared as condemned. While no wagons need immediate replacement, there were however 21997 over-aged wagons on the system (on 31.3.2001), which are being replaced in a phased manner. Over the years, the number of over-aged wagons as percentage of total population is also steadily coming down from 7.4% in 1997-98 to 4.8% in 2000-01. With existing wagons fleet, Railways are able to meet the demand of wagons for core and non-core sectors including farm produce.

    This information was given by the Minister of Railways , Shri Nitish Kumar in a written reply to a question by S/shri K. Rama Mohana Rao and Nana Deshmukh in the Rajya Sabha today.