Time-tabled Freight Train ‘Auto Express’ flagged off from Gurgaon

Time-tabled Freight Train ‘Auto Express’ flagged off from Gurgaon

Time-tabled Freight Train for Auto Sectors

Gurgaon: After launching a time-tabled container freight train, the Ministry of Railways launched a time-tabled freight train for the auto sector on Delhi-Bengaluru route.

Targeting 25 per cent rail share in automobile traffic, railways launched time-tabled Auto Express from Gurgaon to Nidvanda to ensure faster delivery of cargo on 12th July, 2016.

The domestic auto sector is one of the largest in the world with annual production of about 24 million vehicles. During year 2015-16, IR has loaded 708 rakes carrying 2,35,907 units of four-wheeler / three-wheeler / two-wheeler.

IR’s present rail share in the automobile transportation is only about 3 per cent. Railways has also opened up good-sheds for container train operators, subject to certain conditions.

“Like our ever-growing population, auto population is also increasing on a faster rate. In fact auto sector is a fastest growing economy. If railways can tap it then it will be major source of revenue,” Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said after launching the first time-tabled auto car freight train service between Gurgaon and Nidvanda (Bangalore) from here through video-conferencing.

He said that with today’s flag off that too with time-table run of auto-car freight train would ensure timely delivery of the automobiles which would increase confidence of auto industry on railway’s credibility.

At present about 2000 cars move per month between Gurgaon and Nidavanda. With launch of the time tabled run of the freight train for automobile traffic, the volume will go up and the number of trips are likely to increase resulting transportation of about 6000 cars a month.

Railway Board Member (Traffic) Mohd Jamshed said railways has earlier launched time-tabled Cargo Express and now Auto Express to ensure faster movement of traffic.

“These special trains have wagons to run 100 km per hour. So the travel duration has decreased from 70 hours to 57 hours.”

Jamshed further said auto cargo is time sensitive and hence time-tabled running is important to ensure quality service.