Surat: With textile demand rising ahead of Diwali, Surat’s textile traders have urged railway authorities to improve rail-based transportation facilities to ensure faster, safer and more cost-effective movement of goods. During a meeting with railway officials and the Surat Textile Goods Transport Association, traders highlighted persistent logistics challenges and called for regular parcel train services. Railway officials assured them that steps would be taken to address their concerns.Traders pointed to recurring difficulties in daily dispatches, particularly regarding cargo security, timely delivery and the regular movement of parcels. Inconsistent services and limited rail connectivity often disrupt supply commitments, forcing businesses to rely more heavily on road transport.“One goods train can carry around 40 truckloads of material and deliver it much earlier than road transport. Further, the cost is around 50% less than road transport,” said Dinesh Katariya, secretary of the Federation of Surat Trade and Textile Associations (FOSTTA) forum.One of the key demands was the introduction of at least two regular parcel trains every week to different states. Traders said scheduled services would enable faster, more reliable deliveries and help textile businesses meet their supply commitments, particularly during peak trading seasons.The meeting also highlighted the need for a parcel-tracking system to allow traders to monitor consignments and minimise uncertainty over delivery timelines. Participants noted that restoring regular rail parcel services could reduce transportation costs, save time and lower pollution.“We have also requested railway officials to provide basic infrastructure and operational convenience for transporters to load and unload parcels from trains. Last year, goods trains were allotted for textile parcel transport and received a good response, but the services were discontinued,” Katariya added.Railway officials said the demands would be taken up with higher authorities for necessary decisions.Apart from rail connectivity, FOSTTA raised several broader concerns related to road transportation. Transporters were urged to develop software-based systems for issuing truck receipts. The move would help traders receive documents promptly and streamline delivery formalities.The association also flagged high return-booking charges, urging traders to report cases in which return freight is charged at three to four times the original rate. Transport representatives appealed to traders to insure their parcels to facilitate claims in the event of loss or accidents.The need for tracking road shipments was also discussed, with transporters assuring stakeholders that efforts would be made to develop suitable solutions.
