The revenue-earning freight traffic of Indian Railways (IR) grew by 6.4 % from 87 million tons in January 2012 to reach 92.6 million tons
in January 2013. The growth was faster than the 4.5 % growth recorded in
freight traffic during the period of April 2012-January 2013. A strong growth
in the freight traffic of commodities like coal and iron ore helped increase
freight volumes during the month.
Coal freight traffic rose to a record high of 46.1 million
tons in January 2013. It grew by a healthy 11.5 % compared to the same month a
year ago mainly driven by a sharp 36.9 % rise in coal traffic for public use.
The freight traffic of coal for public use constituted 27.3 % of IR's coal
traffic. Coal traffic for thermal power grew by 5.2 %. It had the
largest share of 64.1 % in coal traffic. Coal was the largest commodity
carried by IR with a share of 49.8 %.
The freight traffic of iron ore (excluding for steel plants) grew by a healthy 38.4 % in January 2013. This growth was mainly aided by a 36.8 % rise in iron ore traffic for other domestic users (other than steel plant). A
53.1 % growth in iron ore traffic for exports accelerated growth. Iron ore
traffic for other domestic users (other than steel plant) constituted 89.3 % of
iron ore traffic (excluding for steel plants).
The freight traffic of iron ore for steel plants grew by
10.1 % in January 2013. It had a share of 5.9 % in total rail freight traffic.
Cumulative rail freight traffic grew by 4.5 % from
791.9 million tons during April 2011-January 2012 to 827.8 million tons during
April 2012-January 2013. Freight volumes rose mainly on the back of a healthy
growth in the traffic of coal (9.6 %), iron ore for steel plants (18.3
%) and container service (7.2 %).
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