Railway bookings may rise up

Coimbatore: As there is nationwide lorry strike called by the All India Motor Transport Congress, the goods transported through trains is expected to increase. 

A.Vijuvin, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, said, “We are ready to serve the industries and traders to take their products and raw materials, to the end users, essentials and perishable products such as vegetables and fruits from the farmers to the nook and corner of the country.”

He added that due to the lorry strike, the rate of parcel booking has increased by 10% and will see further suge in the days to come. Parcel bookings at Coimbatore Junction, Ooty, Pollachi, Tirupur, Erode, Salem and Karur are geared up if the lorry strikes continues.

A 23 tonnes goods wagon was booked from Erode for Raipur to transport perishables such as eggs and vegetables. This wagon would be attached with an express train leaving from Erode. “If consortium of industries, traders and farmers come forward to book a whole goods train with a capacity to carry 400 tonnes(20 wagons), railways is ready. We are even ready with the solution for every customer from one kg to 400 tonnes,” said Mr. Vijuvin.

Off loading of cargo from wagons was also affected by the strike which resulted in stagnation of six goods trains in goods yards at Coimbatore North, Irugur, Tirupur, Karur, Uthukuli and Salem since Friday.

A wagon of 18 tonne goods were booked by a wholesale trader in Oddanchatram to Shalimar. This wagon is going to be attached with Shalimar Express at 1.25a.m on Sunday.