Indian Railways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
RAILWAY BOARD

1.0 Sanction of the Central Government is hereby accorded to the following adjustments in the Freight Rates effective from April 1, 2005:

2.2 The freight classes in “Fives” namely Classes-95,105,115,125,135, 145,155,165,175 and 185 have been abolished. Freight classification will have a uniform interval of “Tens” between the successive classes from Class-90 to Class-240.

2.3 Three new special classes namely Class-90W₁, Class-90W₂ and Class-90W₃ have been introduced below Class-90 for certain selected lightweight commodities.

2.4 The total number of classes, accordingly, stand reduced from the existing total of 27 classes to 19 classes. The array of the 19 classes will be as under: -

90W₃	90	130	170	210
90W₂	100	140	180	220
90W₂	110	150	190	230
90W₁	120	160	200	240

3.0 The Goods Tariff Part I (Volume II) has been rationalised and simplified. The rationalised Goods Tariff will contain 80 groups of commodities.

3.1 Each group, under a Main Commodity Head, will have a single uniform class for the various commodities in the group, except where otherwise specifically prescribed, irrespective of their being in different physical forms or shapes and their different conditions, whether raw or manufactured.

3.2 Only a few indicative names of the commodities are given under each Main Commodity Head. The classification of the Main Commodity Head will be applicable to a commodity which have not otherwise been indicated, but qualifies in the same group of commodities. For instance, Oxygen Gas has not been indicated under the Main Commodity Head “Gases”. However, Oxygen gas qualifies to be in the group of “Gases” and shall have the same classification as that of the Main Commodity Head “Gases”.

3.3 A commodity, which cannot be placed in any of the Main Commodity Heads, given in the Goods Tariff, shall be charged at the highest Class-240.

3.4 The commodities with a suffix “d” indicates dangerous/ hazardous commodities to be charged at the class indicated for the Main Commodity Head. However, all other dangerous/ hazardous commodities, listed in the Red Tariff, shall be charged at the highest Class-240.

3.4.1 Dangerous/ hazardous commodities shall not be booked for transportation by rail unless they are listed in the Red Tariff.

3.5 The commodities with a suffix “p” indicates that pre-payment of freight is compulsory.

3.6 In supersession of all earlier instructions regarding minimum weight for charge, the concept of ‘W’ condition in terms of Rule No.701(7)(xiii) of the Goods Tariff No. 41, Part I (Volume I) has been abolished. Accordingly, no commodity shall be charged for a weight which is less than the Carrying Capacity of the wagon.

3.7 The rationalized Goods Tariff indicates the chargeable weight as “CC” or “Enhanced CC” for the different Main Commodity Heads.

3.8 The symbol “CC” indicates that the weight for charge for the commodity will be the carrying capacity of the wagon. The carrying capacity of the wagon shall be the permissible carrying capacity/ standardized carrying capacity/ calibrated carrying capacity of the wagon.

3.8.1 The current CC for various types of wagons has been notified in Rates Circular No.31 of 2004 e.g. the standardized CC is 55.5 tonnes for BCX/ BCXN group of wagons; 58.0 tonnes for BCN wagons; 58.8 tonnes for BCNA/ BCNAHS wagons and 60.1 tonnes for BOXNHA wagons. For BOX wagons permissible CC is CC+3 tonnes.

3.8.2 The “standardized” carrying capacity of all types of wagons including NMG & BCCN wagons, for the purpose of charging the Main Commodity Head – ‘Motor Vehicles’ at Class-90W₂, shall be 58.8 tonnes.

3.9 “Enhanced CC” indicates that the weight for charge for the commodity should be the enhanced carrying capacity notified for different types of commodities/ wagons with other conditions.

3.9.1 The extant instructions regarding the “Enhanced CC” are contained in Rates Circular No.48 of 2004. If a “CC” commodity, which is generally offered in bagged condition, such as Foodgrains, Fertilizers, Cement, Sugar, Salt etc. is loaded in loose condition, “Enhanced CC”, as applicable to loose/ bulk commodities, will apply.

3.10 Any exception in the classification or weight for charge etc. have been indicated in a “Note”, given in the Goods Tariff, below the particular group of commodities.

3.11 Only trainload classes have been notified in the Goods Tariff. The wagonload class in all cases will be one stage higher than the notified trainload class for the commodity. However, the trainload class and the wagonload class will be same for the commodities placed in the highest Class-240.

4.0 The classification for Grains & Pulses has been revised from Class-90 to Class-120. However, Foodgrains for Public Distribution System (PDS), Poverty Alleviation Programmes (PAP) and for other relief works, will be charged at Class-100. Foodgrains for PDS etc. will, however, be carried at Class-90 when moved in block rakes of open wagons.

5.0 The classification for ‘programmed’ Iron Ore traffic for Steel Plant sidings shall continue to be charged at Class-140. The ‘programme’ for such traffic shall be issued by the office of ED(RM), Kolkata. However, the classification for all other traffic in Iron Ore has been revised from Class-140 to Class-160.

6.0 Consignors will have to ensure that the commodities offered for transportation by railways are not defectively or improperly packed depending upon the nature of the commodity and the method of transportation such as in loose condition, in bulk, in bagged condition etc. It should be ensured that the commodities are packed in such a manner that they are not liable to damage, deterioration, leakage or wastage during transit.

6.1 It should be ensured that the commodities are packed in bags, containers, drums, cases, cartons etc. of high quality and adequate strength, which can withstand the rigours of transportation and also provide ease of handling.

6.2 All conditions for carriage of dangerous/ hazardous commodities, as laid down in the Red Tariff, must be followed.

7.0 Zonal Railways should ensure that requisite number of copies of the rationalised Goods Tariff and Freight Rate Tables are collected from the General Secretary, IRCA by deputing staff. It should also be ensured that the Freight Rate Tables are distributed to the station/siding/goods shed staff well before 01.04.2005. However, an advance copy of the rationalised Goods Tariff No 44 Part I (Volume II) has been enclosed with this Circular.

7.1 Zonal Railways will ensure that wide publicity is given to the rationalization of the freight classification and Goods Tariff and the various adjustments in freight rates and all related instructions.

7.2 Steps should be taken to ensure that the staff fully understand the changes in the Goods Tariff, freight rates, method of charging and all other related instructions and implement them correctly. Commercial Inspectors (CMIs) and Traffic Inspectors of Accounts (TIAs) should be deputed to important goods sheds/ stations/ sidings etc. for ensuring correct implementation of the instructions.

8.0 This Rates Circular is available on Indian Railway’s official website http://www.indianrailways.gov.in. The circular can be accessed by opening the home page and clicking on ”Railway Board Directorates”, followed by clicking on “Traffic Commercial”, followed by clicking on “Freight Rate Circular.”

10.0 This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate in the Ministry of Railways.

11.0 Issue necessary instructions to all concerned and acknowledge receipt of this letter.