The Railway Board has introduced new rules for traders and businessmen who transport goods through parcel vans. Under the new system, traders will now have to pay a much higher security deposit while booking parcel vans.
The rules will affect businesses that regularly send fruits, clothes, shoes, groceries, and other products through the railway network, especially from the Agra division.
Railways says these changes are aimed at stopping fake bookings, reducing unnecessary blocking of parcel vans, and ensuring that genuine traders get timely service.
Deposit Amount Increased Sharply
Railway Public Relations Officer Sanjay Kumar Gautam said that the new order was issued by the Railway Board on May 21.
According to the new rules, stations with very high demand for parcel vans will now be called “notified stations.” Traders booking parcel vans from these stations will have to deposit Rs 25,000 as security.
At normal railway stations, the deposit amount has been fixed at Rs 10,000.
Earlier, the security deposit at all stations was only Rs 5,000. The Railways has now increased it significantly.
In the Agra division, Agra Cantt and Fort stations have been listed as notified stations. Traders using these stations must also ensure that goods are removed within 7 days.
Booking Cancellation Can Lead to Full Money Loss
Traders can now book parcel vans up to 90 days before the loading date.
However, the Railways has also introduced a strict “lock period” of 10 days before the scheduled loading date. If a trader cancels the booking during this period, the full deposit amount will be confiscated.
But if the Railways fails to provide the parcel van within 10 days and the trader decides to cancel the booking, the full deposit amount will be refunded.
The Railways also clarified that traders who book earlier will get priority for parcel van allotment.
Late Loading Will Also Attract Penalty
If more than one trader applies for the same date, the first applicant will get preference.
The Railways has also warned that if goods are not loaded on time after the parcel van is provided, the entire security deposit will be forfeited. Traders may also have to pay extra late charges.
Railway authorities have instructed all railway zones across the country to implement these new rules immediately.