Eastern Railway (ER) posted 4.4 per cent growth in freight traffic in 2012-13 at 60.30 million tonne (mt) over 57.75 mt in 2011-12, according. This was the highest ever loading since the bifurcation of ER 10 years ago. Coal accounted for the largest share, nearly 70 per cent, at 41.92 mt (38.25 mt).
The throughput of other cargoes declined at 18.38 mt (9.5 mt). Freight earnings during the period under review amounted to Rs 4,329.09 crore (Rs 3771.73 crore), up by nearly 15 per cent. During the same period, ER’s total earnings increased by 13.27 per cent at Rs 6343.77 crore (Rs 5600.35 crore). In 2012-13 ER handled 120.65 crore passengers (117.35 crore), recording a growth of 2.8 per cent, the sources said.