Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosts session on ‘Rail-based freight and parcel services’

Mysuru: Only 4.4 percent of the total freight movement in the Mysuru region is currently handled through railways, said Mudit Mittal, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of South Western Railway’s Mysuru Division.

He was addressing a stakeholder interaction session on ‘Rail-based freight and parcel services,’ jointly organised by the South Western Railway, Mysuru Division and the Mysore  Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), held at the MCCI auditorium on D. Devaraja Urs Road.

Emphasising the cost-effectiveness of rail over road transport, Mittal urged commercial establishments to explore railways as a viable option for moving goods. He stated that shifting to rail transport could lead to significant cost savings for businesses.

Highlighting the Railway’s readiness to meet freight needs, the DRM said trained personnel and a wide variety of wagons — including those tailored for autos, two-wheelers and four-wheelers — are available to meet diverse cargo requirements.

New online booking

Mittal also spoke about the newly developed online booking system that allows entrepreneurs to reserve freight services from anywhere. “We aim to simplify transactions and are committed to providing all possible support to the business community,” he said, inviting feedback to help enhance services further.

If more users in the Mysuru region adopt these services, it would contribute significantly to regional economic progress, he added.

First-class season tickets

During the interaction, representatives from various sectors raised key issues.

Subramanya, Secretary of the Small-Scale Industries Association highlighted the suspension of first-class season tickets between Mysuru and Bengaluru. He pointed out that such tickets are still available on other busy corridors like Mumbai–Pune and urged authorities to reconsider the move. He also requested a halt near Metagalli to support industrial workers.

In response, the DRM explained that the suspension of season tickets was a policy decision by the Central Government. As for the proposed halt, he said even a one-minute unscheduled stop can lead to a 15-minute delay, making it operationally unviable.

More trains to coastal areas

President of Mysuru Hotel Owners Association, C. Narayanagowda, requested more trains from Mysuru to coastal destinations and flagged concerns over high parking charges at the railway station.

The DRM said geographical constraints make expanding coastal services difficult. On the parking issue, a senior commercial manager clarified that authorised rate boards have been installed and urged users to report any discrepancies, assuring swift action even through a phone call.

Freight service to Kolkata

Abdul Khader of the Devaraja Urs Road Traders’ Association pointed out the limited freight service to eastern destinations, especially Kolkata, with only one train per week. He urged an increase in frequency and better cargo safety.

Mittal replied that due to low demand, additional trains were not viable at present, but if demand grows, daily services could be coordinated with the Bengaluru Division. He also highlighted the Parcel Management System (PMS), which allows real-time tracking of shipments.

Haritha, Senior Divisional Operations Manager, K.B. Lingaraju, President of MCCI, R. Anand, Vice-President, A.K. Shivaji Rao, Secretary, Vinod Jain, Joint Secretary and M.C. Bansali, Executive Committee Member along with exporters, entrepreneurs and representatives from industries and associations across Chamarajanagar, Nanjangud, Mandya and Mysuru.

Major players like Jubilant Pharma, Triveni Gears and the APMC and Hotel Associations also participated in the session.