New Delhi/ Kolkata: Indian Railways has started booking consignments in its EMU services of an e-commerce company for the first time from Monday.
The services for Amazon commenced from Sealdah to Dankuni of West Bengal in suburban services by Eastern Railway.
"The pilot project is initially for three months where a total of 7 MT of consignment per day has been allowed to be carried. The rate chargeable is that of Luggage Rate (Scale L – highest scale) i.e. Rs 5537/- per day," an official statement mentioned.
The ministry has also said that upon the success of the pilot project, other routes may also be taken up by the e-commerce company.
"The consignment is allowed to be carried in vendor compartment along with other vendors in non-peak hours (i.e. 11.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs.), thus causing no disruption or inconvenience to the existing
system," the ministry mentioned.
The government further feels that this will benefit the railway through revenue generation. However, the route has been selected by Amazon itself for quick movement of their consignment to the existing facility at Dankuni.