Title - SER carries record load of freight, commuters

Kolkata  : South Eastern Railway has carried some 262.90 million passengers during 2011-12, about 7.96 per cent more than the previous fiscal year, according to SER general manger AK Verma.With record number ferrying of commuters and loads to different parts of the country, SER's total earnings stood at Rs 9163.81 crore in 2011-12.However, the major share came from freight earnings of Rs 7796.34 crore, and Rs 1121.48 crore from passenger earnings, and parcel earnings stood at Rs 89.04 crore.As far as the sale of scrap was concerned, SER achieved a record sale of Rs 289.53 crores during last fiscal, which was 40 per cent more than the target laid down by the Railway Board.Addressing a gathering of railwaypersons and their family members to mark the 57th Railway Week at BNR Officers' Club Reach here today, Mr Verma said in the last financial year SER had also loaded 117.01 mt of originating freight despite ban on export of Iron ore, stoppage in loading by mine owners from various sidings and new regulatory measures which came into force as regards to iron ore.The Railway Week is celebrated every year to commemorate the running of the first ever train on Indian soil on April 16, 1853, between Bombay and Thane.

As many as 165 railway staff and officers were felicitated with Merit Certificates and Efficiency Badges in recognition of their outstanding services and devotion to work during the year 2011-12.

The overall efficiency shield was awarded to Chakradharpur division for the best all round performance.

In the area of punctuality of train services, SER recorded a remarkable improvement achieving 90 per cent in 2011-12 compared to 78 per cent the year before.

SER also achieved considerable improvement in safety performance with one accident happened in 2011-12 against 13 accidents the year before.