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Maligaon, April 26 (MExN): Considering the pandemic COVID-19, Indian Railways has further announced a slew of incentives for freight customers. The incentives will make customers register their demands for goods electronically instead of going to goods-shed physically, thus making it a convenient, speedier and transparent process.
These incentives are expected to boost the economy by aiding the country’s export, said a press statement from the Railways.
Also, several additional charges will not be levied effectively permitting stationing of cargo for longer duration without paying penalties. Smaller size trains can be moved for longer distances.
Non-levy of demurrage, wharfage and other ancillary charges:
To facilitate freight customers and to provide logistics support for the movement of essential goods in view of COVID-19 pandemic, demurrage, wharfage, stacking, stabling charges will not arise in case of goods/parcel traffic.
Similarly, Detention Charge and Ground Usage Charge will not arise for container traffic. These guidelines are applicable from March 22 to May 3, the release stated.
However, if undue delays in loading/unloading are noticed, competent railway authority may review and withdraw these benefits on case to case basis with adequate prior notice. In such cases, the free time will be extended to twice the prescribed limits beyond which charges will be levied at normal rates, it said.
Extension of e-RD and eT-RR
The release stated that electronic registration of demand (e-RD) and Electronic Transmission of Railway Receipt (eT-RR) facility in case of Freight Forwarders, Iron & Steel, Iron Ore and Salt traffic will be extended.
For eT-RR where Railway receipt is generated and transmitted electronically to the customer through FOIS, even delivery of goods is given through e-surrender of eT-RR. This eliminates the need for a customer to travel to goods shed for demand registration, receiving RR/invoice and for taking delivery of goods, it added.
Relaxations in freight transportation
The distance restriction for mini rakes has been increased to 1500 km for both interzonal and intra zonal traffic. Similarly, the distance restriction for rakes originating at two points at two loading points has now been relaxed to allow loading points to be upto 500 km apart, regardless of the season.
Further, the prescribed number of BCNHL wagons, which are a type of covered wagons primarily used for bagged consignments, like foodgrains and agricultural produce has been reduced from 57 to 42 wagons. All relaxations for this category are valid till September 30, 2020, the release stated.
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