Rates Circular No. 21 of 2004
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No.2004/TC-I/94/214/9/Vol. II
New Delhi, dated: 12th July, 2004
The General Managers,
All Indian Railways.
Sub: - "Engine-On-Load" (EOL) scheme
The basic features of the draft EOL scheme were outlined in Board's letter dated 26.6.1997. Subsequently, a number of Railways have given suggestions to improve the scheme. The EDs Committee (1998) and the High Level Committee on Freight Incentives (2004) have also examined the matter. Accordingly, in supersession of all the earlier guidelines, the following revised guidelines are issued.
The siding holders will be required to opt for the EOL operations under an agreement with the zonal railway administration as per the terms and conditions of the 'Engine-on-Load' operations, as given in the following paragraphs.
Eligibility
Permissible free time
Free time table
| Type of operation | Free time for Bulk Commodities | Free time for Bagged Consignments |
|---|---|---|
| Loading | ||
| All types of wagons | 3 Hours | 5 Hours |
| Unloading | ||
| 1. All types of wagons except BOBRN | 4 Hours | 5 Hours |
| 2. BOBRN wagons | 2 Hours | Not applicable |
Debit/credit hours for demurrage
A system of debit/credit hours in regard to detention to wagons shall be introduced in the EOL sidings for the purpose of levying demurrage.
Debit hours would signify the detention in terms of wagon-hours beyond the free time permissible under the EOL.
Credit hours would signify the wagon-hours saved with reference to the free time permissible under the EOL.
Saving/detention to a wagon of 30 minutes or more up to 1 hour will be rounded off to an hour. Saving/detention to a wagon of less than 30 minutes will not be reckoned.
The net debit/credit hours, accrued during a month, shall be carried forward till the end of a quarter ending on the 30th of June, 30th of September, 31st of December and the 31st of March. Demurrage will be charged, on a quarterly basis on the net debit hours outstanding, if any, at the end of the quarter at the rates prescribed from time to time for the first 24 hours. The prevailing rates for demurrage charges are Rs.60.00 per bogie wagon per hour, for all types of stock. The demurrage to be charged at the end of each quarter, if any, would not be waived except to the extent covered under 'Force Ma-jeure' conditions.
The net credit hours, if any, at the end of a quarter will be carried forward to the next quarter and the same shall be adjusted against fresh debit hours that might accrue during that quarter. The net accumulated credit hours alone will be permitted to be carried forward till the end of the financial year. In case, any credit hours are still available at the end of the financial year, the same shall lapse.
Exemption from Engine Hire Charges
Exemption from Siding charges
Exemption from cost of railway staff
General
It should be ensured that all arrangements, including timely relief to the train crew, as and when required, are made in EOL sidings.
Suitable resting facilities shall be provided to the train crew by the siding owners in their premises.
Siding owners will also permit the train crew to avail the facilities of staff canteen in their premises on payment of charges as prescribed for their own staff.
All Railways are requested to give wide publicity to the "Engine-on-load" scheme among the existing as well as prospective siding owners. Proposals may be invited from the siding owners desiring to opt for the 'Engine-on-Load' operations.
Details of the detentions to wagons and locomotives in the sidings, before and after switching over to the EOL, may be analysed and also sent to Board's office for information so that the EOL scheme could be reviewed one year after it's implementation in various sidings.