How to book Time-Tabled Freight / Parcel Trains
Indian Railways is the backbone of the country’s logistics sector. Railway carry more than 1.2 Billon tonnes of freight traffic every year. Details of Indian Railways Timetabled freight trains including how to book Time Tabled Freight / Parcel Trains, which are all the new policy incentives by railway to boost up freight sector.
- Online Mode Payment
- Freight Business Portal
- Freight Incentive Schemes by Railway
- How to Send Your Goods by Railway
- Covid 19 : Opportunity to book Parcels in Time Tabled Trains
- Parcel Sector in Indian Railway
Online Mode Payment
TRANSPORT CHARGE PAYMENT THROUGH onLINE MODE
South Western Railway announced that to enhance the ease of doing business with Railways, and facilitate an easy transaction, online payment system has been provided through Freight Business Development portal of Indian Railways via SBI’s payment gateway. It has provided the facility for collection of freight and all kinds of ancillary charges, Wagon Registration Fee., Demurrage, Wharfage, Siding Charge, Shunting Charge, Rebooking Charge, Diversion Charge, etc.
On 06.06.2021, freight for a rake of 21cement wagons loaded from ACC Siding of Hubballi Division/South Western Railway to Etakkot of Palghat division / Southern Railway was successfully levied and realized an amount of Rs.16.17 lakhs for the First time on Hubballi division of South Western Railway.
Online Payment System through Freight Business Development portal has been available 24×7.
Freight Business Portal
Freight Business Portal by Indian Railway ~ Details
Indian Railways opened a new freight services portal as a one-stop solution for freight-related queries and other information. The portal contains facilities like booking of freight and parcel consignments, information about loading and unloading locations, tracking facilities of the consignments booked. The portal also contains details of nodal officers of different Zones & Divisions for freight-related queries.
Besides, the portal also provides information about the scheduled movement of cargo over Indian Railways network, live tracking and monitoring of movement of cargo over GIS, details of different schemes available to make transport more economical, online gateway for investing in Indian Railways for owning private freight terminal and investing in wagons for guaranteed availability and other benefits.
Among other features, the portal also has the link to the “Rail Madad” which provides instant help for the train-related complaints and queries.
The features packed in this new portal in a nutshell are:
- FNR — 11 digits unique number like PNR to trace consignment.
- Booking procedures, Rate slabs, Freight calculator etc.
- How to transport large shipments and smaller parcels.
- Facilities at stations, loading and unloading locations, CRTs, PFTs
- Partners of IR — List of aggregators, Truckers, Warehouses and Labour Goods Shed wise and their numbers.
- Track and trace facility.
- FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Link with Rail Madad through Contact Us Menu
Now (06.01.2021) Indian Railway’s Freight Business Portal can be accessed by visiting the homepage of Indian Railways official website and clicking new icon ‘freight services’ OR by clicking following link https://fois.indianrail.gov.in/RailSAHAY.
Freight Incentive Schemes by Railway
Details of various incentive schemes by Railway
New Freight Incentive Schemes by Railway
Indian Railway announced that to carry your Goods at the cheapest rate, Indian Railways has introduced various Freight Incentives Schemes. Details are attached.
Advance booking for Parcel service Introduced by Railway
Railways have introduced advance booking facility of parcel space in Luggage rooms SLRs (Seating-cum-Luggage Rake) available on passenger carrying trains and parcel vans attached to the regular trains and also in timetabled parcel trains.
According to South Central Railway, the advance booking of space in SLRs and parcel vans would be permitted 120 days in advance, subject to payment of 10% of the total freight by the customer at the time of booking. The balance payment of the freight has to be paid at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the train for which the advance booking has been made. If the customer fails to pay the balance amount as stipulated at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, the booking will be cancelled and advance freight will be forfeited.
“There have been repeated requests from the parcel customers for the introduction of advance booking facility of parcel space so as to plan their logistics in a better way which will also generate additional traffic to railways, said an official.
In case the customer is willing to cancel the booking, such cancellation needs to be done at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the train for which advance booking has been made. In such cases, 50% of the advanced freight will be refunded. However, there shall be no refund if the cancellation is done after the deadline of 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the train.
In case of inability of railway administration to provide parcel space in the train on account of cancellation of train or any other reason, full advance freight would be refunded to the customer.
✅ Railways offer Concessions to enhance Freight Traffic ~ 14.08.2020
Railways in its continuous effort to serve the freight customers have been taking several steps to improve the freight traffic, announced via press release. In this direction, As advised by the Rail Ministry, South Central Railway has already set up Business Development Units (BDUs) at both Zonal and Divisional levels. The committee members of these BDUs are in regular touch with freight customers, trade, and industry to work out various ways and means to improvise the freight loading. Now, with a view to further increase the freight loading, Railway Board has announced a set of concessions and incentive schemes for freight traffic.
The freight concessions that are offered to customers include the following :-
Concessions in freight for Short Lead traffic for all commodities except Coal, Coke and Iron ore Freight concession will be given on Normal Tariff Rate (NTR) for the freight traffic offered
- for distance up to 50 Kms – 50%
- for the distance between 51 – 75 Kms – 25%
- for the distance between 76 – 90 Kms – 10%
The main objective of this concession is to attract the short lead traffic by Rail.
Concessions in freight for Long Lead traffic for Coal and Coke
For the freight traffic offered for a distance of more than 1400 Kms, a freight concession of 20% is given on Normal Tariff Rate (NTR) with a floor limit not less than NTR for 1400 Kms.
Concessions in freight for Long Lead traffic for Iron and steel
For the freight traffic offered for a distance of more than 1600 Kms, a freight concession of 20% is given on Normal Tariff Rate (NTR) with a floor limit not less than NTR for 1600 Kms.
Concessions in freight for Long Lead traffic for Iron Ore
- For the freight traffic offered for a distance between 701- 1500 Kms, a freight concession of 15% is given on Normal Tariff Rate (NTR) with a floor limit not less than NTR for 700 Kms.
- For the freight traffic offered for a distance of more than 1500 Kms, a freight concession of 20% is given on Normal Tariff Rate (NTR) with a floor limit not less than NTR for 700 Kms.
Incentive Schemes for Loading of Fly Ash
Fly Ash in bagged or loose/bulk condition when loaded in open wagons (BOXN type), 40% concession is applicable on NTR. Fly ash in the bagged condition when loaded in flat wagons (BRN type), a freight concession of 40% is applicable on NTR, whereas, if loaded in covered wagons will be charged at NTR of LR1 class.
No other concessions shall be applicable when the consignment is booked under these Policies and schemes. Concessions offered in Long Lead are applicable for Train Load only. The concessions specified above shall remain valid up to June 30, 2021, while the incentive scheme for Fly Ash shall be valid until further advice.
How to Send Your Goods by Railway
Parcel loaders and e-commerce companies who want to send essential commodities may avail the opportunity to send Goods by Railway. How to send your Goods by Railway, both online and offline step by step details is as attached.
Online Method
✅ Step 1:
Online Registration and Booking Process of Freight Trains for goods transportation steps are here
✅ Step 2:
Online Registration and Booking Process of Freight Trains for goods transportation steps are here
✅ Step 3:
Online Registration and Booking Process of Freight Trains for goods transportation steps are here
✅ Step 4:
Online Registration and Booking Process of Freight Trains for goods transportation steps are here
For Registration, Booking of goods and parcel :- https://www.fois.indianrail.gov.in/RailSAHAY/Home.jsp#Registration
Offline Method
✅ Step 1:
- Find Relevant Railway Division from where you want to send the goods.
✅ Step 2 :
- Contact the Commercial Officer of that Division
✅ Step 3 :
- Go to the Railway Station
- Go to Parcel Booking Office
- Fill the Forwarding Note
- Pay the fare
Covid 19 : Opportunity to book Parcels in Time Tabled Trains
South Central Railway
37 Parcel Express Trains by SCR
Southern Railway
12 services of Time Tabled Express Parcel Trains (daily) to be run between Thiruvananthapuram Central – Kozhikode
12 services of Time Tabled Express Parcel Trains (daily) to be operated btw Dr MGR Central – Coimbatore – For bookings contact parcel offices/divisions concerned
Western Railway
Details of Time Tabled Parcel Express Trains by Western Railway
Here is the time table, halts and contact numbers for assistance, if any, of Time Tabled Parcel Express Trains of WR between Bandra T-Okha, Mumbai Central-Firozpur, Dadar–Bhuj, Porbandar–Shalimar, Surat – Bhagalpur, Ahmedabad–Guwahati.
Coronavirus : Special Parcel Trains by Railway
Parcel Sector in Indian Railway
South Western Railway : Timetabled Parcel Trains Details
- Timetabled parcel express from Vasco to Guwahati has started w.e.f 12.09.2020.
- For booking parcels, customers can contact mobile number of Sr.DCM/Hubballi-9731668950; Area Officer of Vasco-9096068906; Commercial Controller at Hubballi-7022029814 and 9731665981or nearest Parcel office
Parcel Sector in Indian Railway : New Changes
As per the promises in the Railway Budget Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu launched new facilities in the Parcel Sector in Indian Railway. He announced the new changes in the Parcel Sector on 12th July 2016. Following are the new initiatives.
In the Railway Budget 2016 – 2017 Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu announced that container sector would be opened to all traffic barring coal, specified mineral ores and part-loads during the non-peak season. All existing terminals/sheds would be granted access to container traffic, where considered feasible. overhaul of parcel business – liberalize the current parcel policies including opening the sector to container train operators.
- ✅ Announcement of policy opening category I and II Goods sheds for Container Lift on/Lift off operations by private container operators.
- ✅ Announcement of policy opening parcel sector to container operators
Let’s check the details.
Parcel Services to Private Sector – Parcel Sector in Indian Railway
Railways has opened up its parcel services to private sector. Now, private operators can collect small and large parcels and send it through container trains. The container trains would be operated by private players.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said after announcing the liberalized parcel policy.
“Parcel business is increasing as it is a fast moving sector. We want to increase our parcel share which is currently not much,”
With this initiative, Railways expects an increase in revenue . “We also hope to free our platforms from loading and unloading of parcels in passenger trains,” an official said.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said Railways would be tying up with the Department of Posts which will soon be rolling out a new policy to expand its parcel service. A new mechanism will come into effect after the new policy is implemented. According to it, Container Train Operators (CTO) will operate parcel special trains consisting of parcel vans. A parcel special train will have 20 parcel vans. The private container train operators will play the role of an aggregator. Railways will only provide the facility of moving them to the destination. Parcel Cargo Express Train
Container Train Operators to run Parcel Special Trains : Parcel Sector in Indian Railway
Railways today opened its parcel business segment to container train operators to run “parcel special trains” in a bid to shore up its earnings. Following are the details. For opening of parcel sector for Container Train Operators(CTOs), following guidelines are being issued to open parcel segment for the Container Train Operators.
- ✅ Container Train Operators (CTOs) shall be allowed to operate Parcel Special trains (non-leased) consisting of Parcel Vans on indent basis.
- ✅ The minimum composition of Parcel Special train shall be 20 Parcel Vans and one Brake van. Accordingly, Container Train Operators (CTOs) shall place indent for minimum of
a rake. - ✅ Container Train Operators (CTOs) shall aggregate the parcel cargo from various customers and offer the same in full rake load. At destination, the parcel cargo shall be delivered to the CTO for further segregation and handing over to various customers.
- ✅ Container Train Operators (CTOs) shall be permitted to load and unload the Parcel Special
train from Container Rail Terminal (CRT), Inland Container Depot (ICD), Domestic Container Terminal (DCT), Multi-modal Logistic Park (MMLP) and all Railway’s
terminals notified for handling of parcel trains. - ✅ The existing tariff shall be made applicable.
“Basically, white goods can be transported in parcel. Pharmaceuticals, electronics and other similar items can also be transported in a big way in parcel,” official said. Targeted beneficiaries are private container train operators, logistic companies, all freight customers, third party freight cargo aggregators, small packet size parcel operators and end-users and manufacturers.
Launch of Online Payment for Parcel Booking on Mumbai Division
Central Railway announced that to facilitate smooth movement of all commodities especially medicines, PPEs during the COVID-19 outbreak, Commercial Department of Mumbai Division, Central Railway has come out with an innovative idea to introduce online payment for parcel booking. This facility was implemented on 17/04/2020 and is aimed to boost parcel booking and India’s fight against Corona, this initiative also advances the goal of Digital India.
Advantages of online Payment
- ✅ Facilitates much-needed social distancing
- ✅ Enables easy payment through Net Banking/RTGS/NEFT/IMPS/UPI from office/residence.
- ✅ Unprecedented systemic improvement for over 70 registered leaseholders of Mumbai Division
- ✅ Efficient utilization of staff.
Process of online Payment
- ✅ Enquiry can be done from nominated parcel offices of Mumbai Division i.e. CSMT, LTT & Kalyan
- ✅ For booking the consignment, online payment needs to be done one day in advance.
- ✅ Consignor must mention online payment transaction ID on forwarding note and submit it along with consignment to on-duty parcel booking staff.
- ✅ Next day after payment confirmation is received, Parcel Way Bill will be issued.
- ✅ All online transactions will be maintained in DTC and regularly monitored.
Central Railway has planned 220 timetabled parcel trains during this lockdown for sending essential commodities like medicines, perishables, etc.It has already run 122 trains and 98 trains are scheduled. More than 2000 tonnes of essential goods have been handled in these parcel trains to various destinations like Kolkata, Guwahati, Secunderabad, Chennai, Jharsuguda, Tatanagar, etc.
- ✅ Contact Numbers:Telephone No.138
- ✅ Chief Parcel Supervisor: CSMT: 9730536767 / 7400098800
- ✅ Chief Parcel Supervisor: LTT: 9967447343 / 7666653802
- ✅ Chief Parcel Supervisor: Kalyan: 9869142069
For getting the further details :- FOIS
- Coronavirus : Special Parcel Trains by Railway
- Launch of online Payment for Parcel booking on Mumbai Division
- Parcel Rates in Indian Railway
- Cloak Room / Luggage Rooms and Locker Charges in Indian Railway