Most Challenging Year For Railways, Says Piyush Goyal, But Lauds Employees For Extraordinary Efforts During Pandemic

Describing the year gone-by amid the pandemic as the "most challenging year" for the public transporter, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said, "Covid 19 has demonstrated the resolve of the Railways to fight back and emerge stronger and in future, the success of Indian Railways would define the success of the Nation.”

Despite the difficult situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Railways has managed to carry over 1,220 million tonnes (MT) of goods
surpassing last year's loading, a record in the freight segment.

“The year was the most challenging year for Railways. One year of lockdown. Covid-19 has demonstrated the resolve of Railways to fight back and emerge stronger. Mindset of Railways has transformed. It’s no longer business as usual for Railways. Use of new technologies and innovation has created new standards and benchmarks," Goyal said while reviewing the performance of the transporter with the Board Members and General Managers of Zonal Railways as well as Divisional Railway Managers.

Continuing with the growth trajectory, Railways maintained the high momentum in freight figures in terms of loading, earning and speed in the month of March 2021.

It is expected to surpass the total cumulative freight figures of last year.

Besides recording a robust growth in freight with with 1,223 MT of loading, route electrification also picked up speed during the period.

He said 1,223 MT was the highest freight loading thus far and was a message of positivity to the nation.

As many as 5,900 km of electrification was done this year — the highest ever achieved by Indian Railways.

Goyal said it was time to rewrite the destiny and future of Railways which is self sustaining, punctual, passenger friendly safe, green and the first choice of businesses.

Complimenting Railway officers and staff for making extraordinary efforts during the pandemic to increase loading, he also stressed on safety measures to be adopted, and directed Railway officials to take proactive steps towards the same.