Title - Despite slowdown, major turnaround by Central Railway

NAGPUR: Despite slowdown on industrial front, it is 'Advantage Vidarbha' in real sense for the Nagpur division of Central Railway, which has registered 31% growth in its revenue earnings, highest in the last five years."The economic situation is not so good, yet we achieved a loading of 28.49 mt (million tonnes) in 2012-13, almost touching the volume of 28.8 mt in 2007-08. The growth indicates that industrialization is picking up," said divisional railway manager (DRM) Brijesh Dixit.The total volume is 8.7% more than last year, when the Central Railway had achieved loading of 26.22 mt. This year, coal brought 80% of the revenue with a loading of 23.23 mt. Remaining business came from cement, foodgrains, de-oiled cakes etc."Despite slowdown, we were better placed as we matched our capacities. The new sidings also helped. Besides, we managed to bring some coal and cement companies transporting material through road under our ambit," Dixit told TOI.

Dixit said better utilization of manpower with available resources holds key to achieve such growth. Another factor, he said, was increasing railways operational efficiency by improving wagon turnaround (WTR).

"Our line capacity has reached a saturation point of 150%, yet, achieving 31% growth is exceptional and it is all team work," said Dixit.

"I suppose this is an indication that industries in the region are growing. Several small and big power plants have come up here in the last five years and many are in pipeline. This has increased our coal loading. Augmentation of our container depot at Ajni has also added to growth," Dixit said.

Another factor was increase in passenger trains and launch of several special trains. The Central Railway also earned money from loading via through traffic.