GUWAHATI, Sept 2 � The NF Railway has responded to some allegations made by the Kamrup Chambers of Commerce against it in a press meet on August 30.
The NFR in an official release stated that free time for loading and unloading for one full train is 9 hours and a demurrage (penalty) of Rs 100 per wagon per hour is levied as soon as this time is crossed. However, in order to ensure faster release of railway stock, higher rate of demurrage and wharfage charge is also levied which is currently in force. This, however, is reviewed regularly and removed as soon as congestion in the goods shed subsides.
The loading capacity of trucks as decided by the Supreme Court and enforced by the Government of Assam could have reduced the flow of trucks for the traders. But, the NFR is not involved with this decision and has no power not to levy demurrage on this or any other ground.
It was further stated that the working hours of New Guwahati goods shed were increased to midnight from August 17 to provide more time to the traders for facilitating loading and unloading so that flow of essential commodities to Northeast was not affected.
Restriction has been imposed by District Administration for plying of trucks for five hours (from 7.30 hrs. to 10.30 hrs. in the morning and from 13.30 hrs. to 15.30 hrs. in the afternoon). Railways have considered this loss of working hours for the traders and increased working hours for their benefit.
In all other important goods sheds of the country, round-the-clock working hours have been enforced. However, exemption has been granted for the goods sheds of NF Railway by railway administration as a show of respect to the demand of the traders, including Kamrup Chambers of Commerce, who raised the issue of law and order and unavailability of labour.
Significantly, the railways pointed out that such allegations against Railways always are aired just before the festive season begins. Often, such allegations are accompanied by an announcement of impending price rise of essential commodities.
