Delay in wagon induction causes loss of Rs1,635 cr to Railways: CAG

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 19

Indian Railways lost over Rs 1,600 crore in revenue in the five-year period between 2008 and 2013 due to the delay in induction of wagons for the movement of freight.

In its audit report on Management of Goods Trains in Indian Railways for the period from 2008 to 2013, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has said, “Delay in induction of the 15,815 wagons in the Railway system led to avoidable loss of earning capacity of Rs 1,635.67 crore in seven Zonal Railways”.

While 77,639 new wagons were allotted by the Railway Board to various Zonal Railways, only 53,539 wagons (69%) were inducted into the Railway system within a period of one year and the remaining wagons were inducted in the subsequent years.

However, deterioration in the various efficiency parameters like wagon turn round (WTR), hot axles, detachment, train parting, spring breakage and poor brake power affected smooth freight train operations.

In the report which was tabled in both Houses of Parliament today, the CAG said the average detention was more than 24 hours in respect of 32% of the wagons dealt with at selected loading and unloading points during 2008-13.

Further, the rakes after having been released or dispatched from goods sheds or sidings suffered detentions in terminal yards which averaged up to 15 hours.

This coupled with detentions of rakes at en route stations on account of stabling of rakes due to non-availability of path and crew changing affected efficient operations of goods trains.

The goods sheds and sidings were found deficient in basic facilities for loading and unloading affecting timely receipt and dispatch of goods trains consequently leading to abnormal detentions of rolling stock.

The report said the requirement of rolling stock assessed did not have any input from the Zonal Railways, the ultimate user. Further, the quantity procured during the review period was not in line with the requirement assessed.

It was also observed that even the ordered quantity of wagons was not supplied in full by the Railway production units and public sector wagon manufacturers and the shortfall in wagon manufacturing was 36 and 24%, respectively.