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Rajya Sabha
In the larger public interest and for the convenience and safety of travelling public, maintenance of punctuality of trains and reduction in the transit time of parcels, booking and carriage of parcel traffic was rationalized in February 2004. While State-wise details are not maintained, no specific station has been closed for parcel traffic due to the rationalization. However, the rationalization does not permit booking of parcels by such Mail/Express trains which have stoppage time of less than five minutes at intermediate stations to avoid over-carriage of parcels and maintaining punctuality of trains. This restriction does not apply to ordinary passenger trains. Representations have been received from traders and farmers against rationalization of booking and carriage of parcel traffic. However, in the interest of travelling public and also in the interest of trade, it is not feasible to withdraw the rationalization which is aimed to reduce the overall transit time of parcels through end-to-end movement by different trains providing faster and better services. Luggage has, however, been exempted from the rationalization.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railway Shri R. Velu in a written reply to a question from S/Shri A. Vijayaraghaan and K. Chandran Pillai in the Rajya Sabha today.
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