Vijayawada railway division sees revenue increase by 40 pc

• Gross earnings in four months- Rs 1660.17 crore
• Gross earnings from April to July, 2017 -Rs.1186.17 crore
• Two ports play vital role in generation of revenue

Vijayawada: Gross earnings of South Central Railway, Vijayawada division, increased by 40 per cent in the first four months of this financial year 2018-19 compared to the same period in the financial year 2017-18.

Two important ports Kakinada in East Godavari and Krishnapatnam port in Nellore district are playing vital roles in generating revenue to the Vijayawada railway division. Various types of goods are being transported by the railways to increase its revenue.

Vijayawada division earned Rs 1,660.93 crore from April 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018 as against the earning of Rs.1186.17 crore for the same period in the financial year 2017-18.

Goods earnings play a key role in the revenue with income of Rs.1274.80 crore earned on freight from April to July 2018 against the Rs 823.43 crore for the same period in 2017-18. The percentage of increase is 54.

Transportation of coal, paddy, cotton, agriculture products and consumer durable are vital for the revenue, said a senior officer of the Commercial department, Vijayawada division.

He said the revenue of Vijayawada division has been increasing in recent years. On the other hand, income on passenger tickets is also increased this year compared to the previous year.

Despite RTC, private buses, cars, airline services from Gannavaram Airport, several lakhs of passengers still choose the railways and demand for railways remains intact.

Revenue on passenger tickets increased by 8.12 per cent from April to July 2018 this year compared to the same period last year.

Vijayawada division earned income of Rs 346.03 crore from April to July 2018 against Rs.320.05 crore for the same period last year.

Vijayawada is one of the biggest railway junctions in the country connecting South and North Indian states.

Besides, the revenue on others increased from Rs.20.42 crore from April to July in 2017 to Rs.21.06 crore from April to July 2018.

Gross earnings in the financial year may increase by more than 70 per cent compared to the previous financial year if the performance in the first four months of this financial year is any indication.

During the financial year 2017-18, earnings of Vijayawada division on passenger tickets was Rs 982.34 crore, goods earnings Rs 2646.50 crore and gross earnings was Rs 3748.05 crore.

Coal imported to the sea ports of Kakinada is transported to thermal stations in the state while agriculture produce like paddy and cotton exported to other states by wagons.