Indian Railways, with the aim of increasing its income from freight transport operations, has recently launched a portal for clients who want to transport their goods with the national carrier.
Indian railways carry over 1.2 billion tonnes of freight traffic each year on its 68,000 km of rail network.
The portal has been developed by the Center for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).
The company or customers who wish to book for freight operations with INdian Railways can view the distance / routes through the Indian Railway fare branch system or the Indian Railway Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) website .
Indian Railways is also going digital for cargo booking on its network.
Freight Business Development (FBD) portal has been designed and developed with features including information on Rich Freight Calculator, GIS-based shipment tracking, terminal dashboard, details on Freight Incentive Schemes, Own-a- terminal and Own-a-Wagon outline and process details and enriched FAQs that are updated regularly, to name a few.
The Customer is required to provide a complete consignment note containing the merchandise details, origin and destination points (railway locations), etc. to the freight clerk / chief freight supervisor at the loading location on the Indian Railways. The customer can register their demand electronically from the place of their convenience through the Indian Railway Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) e-Demand Service
“The FBD has been specially designed and developed with a ‘Customer First’ philosophy and helps to familiarize new freight customers with the freight business of Indian Railways. The portal presents a set of information on the infrared charging business organized in simple, easily accessible links. ” said the ministry.
“The site also offers enhanced features for existing customers, including GIS-based track and trace and the willingness to contact Railways with their concerns. The new FBD portal provides a channel for potential freight customers to contact railway officials and seek their help in transporting their goods by rail, “the ministry said.
The FBD portal can be accessed through the “Freight Business” option available in the new “Freight Services” feature added in the top menu bar of http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/.
The FB portal can also be accessed directly at https://fois.indianrail.gov.in/RailSAHAY/
Indian Railways’ “RailMadad” complaint remediation portal has also been integrated with the new FBD portal to direct inquiries from current and potential customers to Divisional Freight Business Units.
*With contributions from the agency
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