ECoR sets up business development units to attract more freight traffic to railways
Picture used for representational purpose only
BHUBANESWAR: East Coast Railway (ECoR) has set up business development units (BDUs) in zonal and divisional levels to attract industry and business establishments to use freight services of the Railways.
These units will bring the Railways closer to industry and trade for increasing miscellaneous non-bulk goods traffic, along with strengthening Railway’s share in traditional commodities like iron ore, coal and other metals being carried at present.
According to the direction of the Railway Board, the ECoR has set up a BDU at zonal level monitored by general manager Vidya Bhushan. It has four members- chief freight transportation manager Sanjay Mishra (convener), chief commercial manager (Freight Services) PC Sahoo, chief rolling stock engineer (Freight) SP Singh and financial advisor and chief accounts officer B K Mishra.
The zone has also formed similar BDUs in all the three divisions of ECoR at Khurda Road, Visakhapatnam and Sambalpur. The units have branch officer members from relevant fields including operating, commercial, mechanical and finance departments and coordinated by senior divisional operations managers.
“These BDUs will have frequent interaction with trade and industries to know about the existing transportation patterns and also to attract more traffic to the Railways. It will facilitate industry, trade representatives and rail freight customers to get in touch with the Railways at appropriate zonal and divisional levels,” said a senior railway officer.
Sources said these units will serve as a nodal point for expeditious clearance of their proposals for freight movement, which will benefit both the customers and the Railways. After getting any proposal from industry body, it will be promptly analyzed for smooth transportation. “If needed, immediate assistance will be sought from Zonal Railways and the Railway Board,” said the railway officer.
These units will focus to meet the Indian Railway’s target of doubling the freight traffic by 2024. The ECoR will try to increase transportation of non-bulk traffic like FMCG products, electronics and automobile goods, vehicles and other materials.