Chapter 1 Freight services in Indian Railways - Comptroller and ...

Report No .8 of 2010-11 (Railways)
Chipped platform shed - Cuttack goods shed
provided and therefore each time about half a rake (15 to 19 wagons)
was placed in the open. Further, the platform shed on one line was
chipped to raise the traction wire and as a sequel the platform was
exposed to rain water making it unsuitable for stacking food grains and
sugar consignments during rainy season.
IR mentioned (March 2010) that modernization of freight terminals was a
continuous process and that a number of works were in progress for
upgradation of facilities in freight terminals. However, Audit observed that the
pace of progress of these works was slow and thereby the objectives
envisaged in the IRMP were not likely to be achieved within the envisaged
period.
Private participation
In order to encourage the terminal or siding owners to invest in modernisation
of terminals so as to reduce terminal detention of wagons by using modern
methods of loading/unloading, the Terminal Incentive cum Engine On Load
Scheme was launched with suitable financial incentive to siding or terminal
owners. IR also offered a financial incentive by way of rebate in freight. The
engine on load facility was applicable only in terminals where mechanical
loading takes place and it was observed that mechanical loading facilities were
not provided in many major terminals as shown in para 7.2.1 above.
Therefore, there were no takers for the scheme in 10 out of the 16 zones. In the
remaining six zones, only 66 parties opted for the scheme of which 51
customers were from one zone (SWR). The scheme was subsequently
withdrawn in January 2009 and the initiative of augmenting private investment
16