In supersession of all earlier instructions on the subject, it has been decided by the Board to revise the free time for loading/unloading and other allowances for different types of wagons interchanged with Steel Plants.  

2.0

The instructions contained in this letter will be applicable for seven integrated steel plants namely Bhilai Steel Plant, Bokaro Steel Plant, Durgapur Steel Plant, Indian Iron & Steel Co., Rourkela Steel Plant, Tata Iron & Steel Co. and Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.    

2.1

For the remaining steel plants, the normal free time/allowance as applicable to other siding/goods shed will remain applicable.  

3.0

Permissible Free time

Permissible free time for loading/unloading shall be as under:  

4.0

Allowances
Five types of allowances namely Terminal Allowance, Unfit/Sick Wagon Allowance, Debit/Credit hours adjustment, Block Rake Allowance and Captive Rake Allowance may be allowed as per the provisions contained in paras 4.1 to 4.5.  

4.1

Terminal Allowance
Terminal allowance of 45 minutes only for pull through trains will be allowed. In case of other rakes, the free time will commence from the time of intimation of completion of the train examination formalities, which will be reckoned as “made-over” time, irrespective of the actual clearance of the load by the plants.

4.2

Unfit/Sick Wagon Allowance
If such wagons are received with loaded/empty rakes, 24 hours beyond the permissible free time for unloading/loading would be allowed.  In case of sick wagons, allowance should be 24 hours after the wagons are made fit by TXR. The steel plants should return these wagons in the mixed pilot within 24 hours.

4.3

Debit/Credit hours
Whenever a Steel Plant is able to handle the wagons in less than the permissible free time, resulting in earning of credit hours, the credit hours so earned will be adjusted to the extent of 100% against the debit hours. The adjustment will be done in every 10(ten) days period for similar type of wagons viz. Open, Flat, Hopper etc.
For the purpose of adjustment of credit/debit hours, only the permissible free time will be taken into consideration, and not other allowances.
Off setting of debit hours incurred on any wagon detained inside a Steel Plant beyond 10(ten) days, from the date of its being made over to the Plant, is not permitted.

4.4

Block Rake Allowance
Block rake allowance of 10 hours will be permissible for all types of wagons only for the purpose of loading in case of all integrated steel plants, except Indian Iron & Steel Co. and Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.   This allowance is admissible to block rakes only, and not for piecemeal traffic.

4.5

Captive Rake Allowance
For the purpose of maintaining the integrity of rakes in interchange transactions with Steel Plants, Captive Rake Allowance of 2 hours will be admissible for only BOXN rakes, which run on crack pattern on Round trip Brake Power Certificate (RBPC). This allowance will be admissible in case of all integrated Steel Plants, except Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.    

5.1

As and when new types of wagons are introduced, free time mentioned in para 3.0 shall automatically apply to the wagons depending upon the type of wagons.

5.2

Board desires that if Zonal Railways feel that the free time for wagons should be less than the prescribed, Zonal Railways may reduce the free time further with the personal approval of COM and CCM jointly. However, in such case a report should be immediately sent to Board for information.  

5.3

It is further desired that Zonal Railways should make efforts through constant dialogue with Rail users to develop the infrastructure for efficient handling of wagons to reduce the terminal detention and hence improve wagon availability.  

5.4

In terms of MT’s D.O. letter No.99/TC(FM)/26/1 Pt. dated 11.8.03, Zonal Railways may review the existing deployment of Railway Staff in various sidings and reduce their strength to the barest minimum, keeping in view the traffic handled and operational requirements in each case.  

5.5

Specific plant wise constraints may be taken into consideration while dealing with appeal for waiver of demurrage within the overall ambit of Rules of waiver as contained in Rates Circular No.39 of 2004.  

6.0

These instructions will be effective w.e.f. 01.4.2005.    

7.0

Board has decided to review the above instructions after one year. The assessment of actual effect of the revised free time/allowance vis a vis pre-revised free time/allowance should be made so as to have an idea of the financial impact of the revision of free time/allowance and the same should be furnished together with Zonal Railways’ suggestions on the subject by 31.1.2006 positively.  

8.0

This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate and Traffic Transportation Directorate in the Ministry of Railways.  

9.0

The revised free time and allowances shall be brought to the notice of all Steel Plants.

The receipt of this letter may please be acknowledged.

This circular is also available on website of Indian Railways viz. www.indianrailways.gov.in