Concessions have pushed up overall freight loading for Eastern Railways, which has set its sight to surpass the target of 69 million tonnes for 2020-21.
Coal comprises over 60 per cent of the cargo handled by Eastern Railways.
The Railway Board had earlier decided to offer a 15-20 per cent concession on coal, iron ore and steel over long distances. For short-distance traffic, the concessions range from 10-50 per cent, except coal and iron ore. While the railways is considering more sops, carrying coal over shorter distances such as less than 100 km is unlikely to be viable.
With barely any passenger traffic, Eastern Railways is gradually picking up freight loading since June.
