Vijayawada Division successfully loads first Palm Oil Husk rake from Samlkot to Pathri (Uttarakhand)

Division captures another new stream of traffic through its efficient BDU set up

M/s Patanjali Parivahan LTD based at Haridwar, Uttarakhand, has successfully completed the loading of Palm Oil Nut Shells (husk) in BCN Rake (42 wagons) and was successfully dispatched from Samalkot to Pathri, Moradabad Division of Northern Railway on 31st May, 2023. This is the first-ever rake of Palm Oil Nut Shells transported from Vijayawada Division to other state. Palm Oil Nut Shells Palm nuts shell is used as fuel in boilers and kilns as it is having a high calorific value. 2680 Tonnes of Palm husk neatly packed in standard dimension bags were loaded in 42 BCN (Covered wagons), through which earnings of Rs.44.3 Lakh earnings were achieved by the Division.  The customer projects to load atleast 2 rakes per month on regular basis.

Traditionally this Palm Husk was transported to Northern States through road transport at cost of Rs. 5000/Tonne for a distance of 2160 Km. Due to constant dialogue and repeated negotiations by the Marketing Team of Commercial Department at field level and briefing them regarding various economic benefits and advantages of transport through Rail route the party has agreed to load the consignment from Samalkot. Cost per tonne through Rail transit is approximately Rs.2250/Tonne, 45% lesser than road transport for almost same distance. 

Marketing Team of Commercial Department of Vijayawada Division has been making continuous efforts in expanding the railway freight basket of the Division. The team has been holding regular meetings to make the freight customers aware of the benefits of transporting by Railways. The customers are also being briefed about the regular Policy initiatives being taken at the Board level for their benefit. The hard work of Marketing teams at field level has not only resulted in generating additional revenue and achieving new stream of traffic to the Division.

Shri Vavilapalli Rambabu, IRTS Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager congratulated Shri A. V.K Santosh Kumar, Chief Commercial Inspector, Samlakot and Commercial Staff for initiating this new stream of traffic for the Railways. Sr. DCM said that since this commodity has a freight differential of 35% in favour of rail against road, Commercial teams are trying  to pursue for aggregation with other suppliers and garner  more traffic for the Division.

Shri Shivendra Mohan, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada complimented the efforts of Commercial department of Vijayawada Division. He advised the Business Development teams to particularly make the freight customers aware of how loading by Railways is not economically beneficial to them, but also beneficial in terms of safety, speed and being environment-friendly.