GUWAHATI, Sept 27 - To get more traffic and boost its revenues, the Indian Railways has decided to allow advance booking of parcel space in seating cum luggage rakes (SLRs) and parcel vans attached to passenger carrying trains.
�There has been a demand from various big transporters and parcel loading parties to allow them to book railway parcel space in advance so as to plan their logistics in a better way. In view of the regular demand from transporters, Indian Railways has now decided to allow advance booking of parcel space in SLRs, parcel vans attached to passenger-carrying trains and also in time-tabled parcel special trains,� said Subhanan Chanda, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NF Railway (NFR).
�This will also help bring more traffic to the Railways, apart from enabling parcel loading parties and transporters to plan their logistics in advance in a better way,� Chanda added.
He said parcel space can be booked 120 days in advance in SLRs, parcel vans attached to passenger-carrying trains and time-tabled parcel special trains by parcel loading parties subject to payment of 10 per cent of the total freight charge at the time of booking.
�However, the balance 90 per cent payment of the freight charges has to be made at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the train. In case of cancellation of booking, 50 per cent of the advance paid will be refunded. However, there will be no refund if cancellation is done after the deadline of 72 hours before the scheduled departure. But if Railways fails to provide parcel space in train due to cancellation of train or any other reason, full advance freight charges paid by the party will be refunded,� Chanda said.
Indian Railways has also decided to allow temporary leasing of parcel vans to be attached to passenger special trains for a period of 30 days on a quotation basis.
Chanda said this will help in the faster and punctual movement of parcel packages throughout the country.
�Small traders will also benefit to a great extent as they will now be able to bring in or send packaged parcel goods within a specified time,� he added.