RAILWAYS REVENUE EARNING FREIGHT TRAFFIC EXCEEDS TARGET

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The Railways transported 266.43 Million Tonnes (MTs) of revenue earning freight traffic during the first half of the current financial year ending Septembr 2003 as against the target of 259.19 MTs, exceeding the target by 7.24 MTs. This is higher by 18.56 MTs over the corresponding period of the previous year when 247.87 MTs were carried.

The performance of railways revenue earning freight traffic, during the period, indicates the health of the core sector of national economy.

The annual target of revenue earning freight for 2002-2003 is 540 MTs, which is expected to be exceeded if the current trend continues.

Of the total freight traffic, coal accounted for 120.60 MTs followed by raw material to steel plants 21.14 MTs, finished iron and steel from steel plants 6.74 MTs, iron ore for exports 10.94 MTs, cement 23.61 MTs, foodgrains 22.98 MTs, fertilizers 12.44 MTs, Petroleum Oil and Lubricant (POL) 15.62 MTs and other goods 32.36 MTs.

The revenue earning freight traffic in terms of Net Tonne Kilo Metres (NTKMs) in millions was 181204, recording an increase of 4913 NTKMs over the target and 9574 (in millions) over the corresponding period of the last year.

Average Lead (in kilometres) recorded during the period just met the target of 680 kilometres.