Goods traffic set to increase to 510 mt

The Railways have hiked tonnage target for goods to 510 million tonnes for 2002-03 despite a downward revision in goods traffic as well as revenue for this fiscal on continued economic downtrend.

Freight loading target in the current fiscal was revised downward from 500 million tonnes to 489 million tonnes for 2001-02, resulting in Rs 6.25 billion less earning than the budgeted figure of Rs 252.35 billion, according to the Railway Budget for 2002-03 presented by Railway Minister Nitish Kumar in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Goods movement dipped by nearly 4.3 per cent over the current fiscal with revenues falling by 6.1 per cent to Rs 246.10 billion.

Budget has proposed a marginal increase in coal traffic from 227.3 million tonnes in 2001-02 to 232.50 million tonnes in 2002-03, with coal supplies to thermal power stations scheduled to go up to 168 million tonnes.

Movement of petroleum oil and lubricants will remain flat at 36.5 million tonnes.

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The Rail Budget 2002-03
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Run-Up To The Budget
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