Vijayawada Division bags Commercial Shield for its Outstanding Performance in the Zonal Railway Week Celebrations

Shri Rambabu Vavilapalli, Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager along with Shri Narendra A Patil, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division received the Commercial Shield from Shri Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager, South Central Railway at the function held at Secunderabad yesterday i.e, 22.12.2023. The shield was presented for the outstanding performance of Commercial Department, Vijayawada Division during the financial year 2022-23. Shri Narendra A Patil, DRM congratulated the Commercial Team for bagging the coveted shield and to ensure the same momentum is carried forward with passenger amenities being at the core centre.

Vijayawada Division achieved highest ever Gross Traffic Revenue of Rs.5311.98 Crore during the financial year 2022-23 with Freight Revenue contributing Rs.3912.81 Crore, Passenger traffic segment Rs.1246.83 Crore, and the balance Rs.152.34 Crore from Other Coaching and Sundries Earnings.

 Freight Traffic

Vijayawada Division has transported a record 15.824 MTs of Coal during 2022-23 with 13.107 MT from Krishnapatnam Port and 2.347 Million Tonnes from Kakinada Sea Port sidings. During the current year 2022-23 three goods sheds at Anakapalli, Regupalem and Nidiguntapalem stations were re-opened for goods traffic expanding the freight basket handled by the Division. As part of Gati Shakti Initiative, a new Gati Shakthi Cargo Terminal (GCT) is being developed at Bikkavolu station under PPP mode by M/s Grasim Industries. It is likely to be completed by the end of this year which will add a new goods terminal facility which is open for all users.  As a result of consistent efforts of the Business Development Unit (BDU) formed at Divisional level for capturing the freight traffic an additional 227 rakes with a variety of cargo viz. Iron Ore, Timber Waste, Maize, Laterite, Fly Ash Bricks, Wheat, Fish Feed, Edible Oil etc. were loaded generating a revenue of Rs.67.00 Crore and recapturing the rail traffic that previously got diverted to road.

Passenger Traffic

In order to meet the ever-increasing passenger traffic demand, 734 new originating trains were run during the year 2022-23 and Rs. 32.14 Crores revenue was earned.  In order to prevent irregular and ticketless travel, intensive ticket checking drives were conducted which resulted in collection of Rs.58.90 Crore as penalty from 8.87 lakhs cases of travelling without proper tickets, irregular tickets & un-booked luggage during the year 2022-23. Additionally, promotional activities were conducted to encourage unreserved ticketing passengers to use non-conventional means for purchase of tickets through Automated Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) and through UPI & Point of Sales which resulted in decongesting of Queue lines at counters and hassle-free purchase of tickets.

 Non-Fare Revenue (NFR)

Overall, in FY 2022-23, Vijayawada division has awarded a total of 16 contracts under various NFR policies for a combined total contract value of Rs.9.25 crores. Division had successfully awarded innovative/unconventional contracts such as “Commercial Publicity on Mobile Assets”, “Vending of Miscellaneous items (non-food items) in Trains”, “Rail Coach Restaurant at Vijayawada & Rajahmundry Railway stations”, generating Rs 6.01 crores revenue. Further, on account of intensive and proactive efforts to proliferate the newly introduced e-auction in contracts related to Parking Stands, Pay & Use toilets, Cloak Rooms, Catering, NFR, Leasing of SLRs, Contracts worth Rs.32.93 Crore were awarded through e-auction.