PACHORA-JAMNER (NG) SECTION. : A CASE STUDY
As per the instructions of FA&CAO/C.Rly., Sr. DFM’s are require to submit quarterly case study/test check reports to H.Q. In this conection we feel some of the reports prepared by BSL Division can be put in the web for wider circulation. This is first such report.
We have a number of Branch Lines which are financial
burden on Railways. The problems of all such lines are similar. Here an effort has been made through this case study to assess
the cost benefit of the Pachora-Jamner branch line of the BSL division and also examine the possibility of off-loading the commercial function/other
functions to trade in order to make the line
economically viable.
General
Information: This is a branch line of IGP-BSL main line under BSL
division. The other details are as
followed:
|
1 |
Approximate Total length of the track |
54 Kms. |
|
2 |
Age of structures |
Since pre-independence. |
|
3 |
Stations
in route. |
6 Nos. |
|
4 |
Road
Crossing gates |
9 Manned
Gates. |
|
5 |
Type of track |
Rails on Wooden sleepers
directly laid on earth
work beneath |
|
6 |
Nos. &
Type of Locomotive. |
Cummins Diesel Driven [ 1+1], with speed limit of 45 Kms/Hr. |
|
7 |
Nos.
& Type of Bogies [Passenger] |
4 Nos.
One Guard cum parcel van. |
|
8 |
Nos. & Type of Bogies [Goods] |
Nil |
|
9 |
Land Plans and uses |
Track/station Bldg. Quarters, turn table &
locoshed at Pachora, one loop line at Jamner |
|
10 |
Frequency of Trains as on date |
Daily four trips
of passenger train between Pachora and Jamner |
|
11 |
Name &
approx. population of neighbouring
villages |
Pachora, (80,000) Varkhedi (10,000),Pimpalgaon
(5000), Shedurni (10,000), Pahur (10,000),Bagdara (5000),Jamner (45,000). |
|
12 |
Present Status |
As on date, the whole set up except ticketing for
intermediate stations, is being run
by BSL division staff. For Ticket
collection, a contract is given for intermediate stations on 15% commission
basis. This is further subject to
minimum of Rs. 500/- and maximum of
Rs. 3000/- per month on gross earnings for each station. |
|
13 |
Revenue means |
Passenger fares and Parcel |
|
14 |
Train Fair/Concession. |
Maximum Fair is Rs. 13/- only for Jamner-Pachora
with 100% concession to students as
per rule. |
.
STATEMENT OF EARNING & EXPENDITURE OF PACHORA –
JAMNER SECTION (NG) FOR THE YEAR 2001-02.
REVENUE
:
Passengers.
:
No. of
pass. = 368398
Earnings. =
Rs.22.99 lacs.
Parcel :
No. of
Pkgs. = 817
Earnings. = Rs.00.38
lacs.
-----------------------
Total
earnings = Rs.
23.37 lac.
Expenditure:(Rs. In Lac)
Direct Cost - Staff Salary.
Civil = Rs.04.32
Electrical =
Rs.01.82
Mechanical =
Rs.11.33
S&T = Rs. –
Traffic =
Rs.10.51
----------------
Total =
Rs.27.98
Indirect Cost -
Fuel =
Rs.20.05
Rolling Stock = Rs.00.63
Building/ =
Rs.00.81
Quarters
S&T =
Rs.01.16
Electrical = Rs.00.54
------------------
Total =
Rs.23.19
Grand Total = Rs.51.17 lac.
Total Loss. = Rs.27.80
lac (Rs.23.37 – 51.17)
NOTE :
1) At Pachora – tickets are sold
by Booking Clerk both for BG & NG.
2) At Jamner – One Booking Clerk is posted for
sale of tickets.
3)
The intermediate stations for which contractors are
appointed for sale of tickets are :
Varkhedi, Pimpalgaon, Shendurni, Pahur & Bhagara.
SALE OF TICKETS AND EARNINGS ON A PEAK
DAY – 01/08/2002.
A
team of inspectors was deputed to assess the actual earnings
and number of passengers on a peak
traffic day, i.e. Mela Day. This was basically meant to see whether there is ticket-less travel or any other leakage.
The number of passenger was arrived
by head count and revenue was assessed
by counting the cash collected at each
station. The figure as obtained
pertaining to four trips in a day are given below :
|
Station |
621 |
623 |
||
|
|
No. of
passengers. . |
Amount
in Rs. |
No. of Passengers. |
Amount in Rs |
|
PC |
77 |
520 |
79 |
884 |
|
VRKD |
49 |
424 |
74 |
506 |
|
PNGN |
19 |
122 |
8 |
51 |
|
SDRN |
35 |
195 |
15 |
120 |
|
PHU |
34 |
77 |
2 |
14 |
|
BGR |
357 |
895 |
13 |
65 |
|
TOTAL |
571 |
2233 |
191 |
1640 |
|
Station |
622 |
624 |
||
|
Coach |
No.of Passengers. Amount in Rs. |
|
No. of Passengers Amount in Rs. |
|
|
JMNR |
75 |
797 |
451 |
1685 |
|
BGR |
9 |
60 |
6 |
57 |
|
PHU |
18 |
168 |
37 |
330 |
|
SDRN |
25 |
166 |
53 |
252 |
|
PNGN |
40 |
212 |
20 |
88 |
|
VRKD |
1 |
6 |
2 |
6 |
|
Total |
168 |
1409 |
569 |
2418 |
Thus, the total number of passengers boarding
the train on 01/08/2002 and the
amount earned was 1499 and Rs 7,700/- respectively and this included the students.
It was further revealed that the traffic was less on other days. There were five bogies in operation on PC-JMNR Section and 7 ticket- less passengers found in each
trip, i.e. total 28 ticket-less passengers per day and most of them were beggars.
From the above,
it can be fairly concluded that the findings of the committee are
very close to the earning figures available with us.
As per the
data available, we are spending more than double the cost of what we are earning. The earning
of a
peak transport day is also less
than average expenditure for
one day
STEPS TAKEN TOWARDS
VIABILITY.
As per the
policy direction, the following steps
have been taken to explore the possibilities of making the line
economically viable.
1. Concessioning of lines
to private operators :
A proposal for exploring the possibility of off-loading the
commercial activities including Catering,Canteen,Advertisement and Parcel was
put forward by this division to transporters
for preliminary assessment of revenue
potential. However,
reaction was not encouraging. In
the opinion of transporters, as
communicated vide their letter dated
04/08/2002, this is a loss making
section due to scanty habitation
in the area and also being a
non-irrigated agricultural
zone. According to them there is a limited demand
for transportation and other
associated business in the
vicinity of this
section.
2. Introduction of Rail Bus by
replacing the loco hauled trains – Effort
was made to introduce the Rail Bus in some other uneconomic branch line i.e. MZR – Achalpur section. However, considering the number of
passengers now being carried in the train, trial has been found to be
unsuccessful by DRM/BSL.
3.
Increasing the frequency of services – Due
to less speed of the train and the length of the section.It is not found
possible to introduce any additional services in the section considering the
operational constraints such as lack of crossing facilities, speed of the train
etc. Also, there is no demand for any additional service.
4.
Adjustment of the train timings – Some
train timings now have to be adjusted due to introduction of travelling
gateman. The proposals have been formulated
by the division.
5.
Sale of tickets in the Bus itself, dispense with
station booking staff – There is no separate booking staff anywhere on
the NG system for ticket sales.. The
ticket sale is done by the Guard
Contractor ASMs or Contractors.
6.
Introduction of travelling Gateman – Removal
of stationary gateman –
This has been found feasible in
Pachora – Jamner section except for one gate which is close to the
bridge.Accordingly it will be possible to surrender 8 gatemen out of 9.
However, it will require change in train timings. A proposal is being developed
by the division for the same.
7. Review of maintenance staff -
This has been done and no further reduction is
feasible.
Thus the future
possibilities for the Brach line are
limited. Maintenance of the
N.G. route is going to be more
difficult in future. Therefore,
either the line needs to be converted into broad gauge and made part of larger linkages or this may be dismantled altogether, though the latter is politically not viable.
Thus, it is felt
that in the prevailing
circumstances there is hardly any option left but to continue with the existing system till some major decision is taken
Hira Ballabh, SrDFM/BSL/CR