Traffic Terminology - Local, Cross, Through etc Traffic

 

Indian Railways Traffic Terminology

Traffic	Definition	Example
Local Traffic	When used with reference to a railway means traffic originating and terminating at stations within the limits of that railway, without passing over any other railway.	A passenger travelling from Howrah to Asansol (both in Eastern Railway).
Cross Traffic	Traffic that passes through a zone but neither originates nor terminates there.	A train from Delhi to Kolkata passing through North Central Railway.
Through Traffic	Traffic carried over two or more Railways	Goods consignment from Mumbai (CR) to Chennai (SR).
Interchange Traffic	Goods or passenger traffic exchanged between two zones at a junction point.	Wagons handed over from WR to NR at Mathura Jn.
Inward Traffic	Traffic that arrives into a particular zone, division, or station.	Freight train arriving at Visakhapatnam from Raipur.
Outward Traffic	Traffic that originates from a particular zone, division, or station.	Goods loaded at Durgapur for shipment to Mumbai.
Diverted Traffic	Traffic rerouted from its regular path due to operational or maintenance issues.	Train diverted via Jhansi instead of Bhopal due to track work.
Empty Flow Traffic	Movement of empty wagons (not carrying any goods).	Empty rakes moving from unloading point to loading yard.
Return Traffic	Traffic returning from the destination back to the origin.	Containers loaded from Delhi to Mumbai and then returned empty or reloaded.
Booked Traffic	Traffic for which advance booking has been made and freight collected.	Iron ore booked from Bilaspur to Paradeep Port.
Unbooked Traffic	Movement without official booking, often due to irregularities or emergencies.	Emergency movement of relief materials.
Parcel Traffic	Small consignment traffic is usually transported in SLRs or parcel vans.	Luggage/Parcels transported on passenger trains.
Military Traffic	Movement of defense equipment or personnel by Indian Railways.	Transport of army tanks or troops.

CATP - Cargo Aggregator Transportation Product - Traffic Accounts

 

CATP - Cargo Aggregator Transportation Product

Source: Rates Circular 03 of 2024 CATP

• CATP stands for Cargo Aggregator Transportation Product (supersedes Freight Forwarder Scheme)

• RC Rates Circular No.: 03/2024 Effective from: 15.03.2024

• Objective: Cargo aggregation + wider commodity basket

• Excluded Commodities: Coal, Ores, Iron/Steel, Slag

• Minimum Lead: 300 km

• Permitted Wagons: Covered wagons (BCN, BCNA, BCNAHS, BCNHL)

• Mini Rake: Minimum 20 wagons

• Floor Rate: ≥ NTR of Class LR-1

• CG Registration: Mandatory in eRD

• Security Deposit: ₹1 lakh (non-refundable)

• Validity: Division-wise

• Indenting Authority: Only CG can place indent

CG Role:

• Aggregates cargo
• Places indent
• Coordinates consignors/consignees
• Responsible for loading & unloading

Freight Liability:

• Consignor/consignee primary
• CG responsible in case of default

Forwarding Note:

• Can be single initially
• Full details later at loading

• Commodity Change: Up to 20% wagons allowed

• RR Type: Prepaid, “Said to Contain”

• Multiple RR: Allowed

• Concession: Only 6% for NER traffic

Misdeclaration:

• >2 commodities → Class 200
• Others → normal rules

• Freight Basis: Wagon-wise, trainload class

Key points for MCQ

1. CG registration is division-specific

2. No prior Railway approval needed for customer list

3. Floor rate cannot go below LR-1 

4. CG: Cargo Aggregator

5. eRD: electronic Registration of Demand module

6. RR: Railway Receipt

7. NTR: Normal Tariff Rate

8. NER: North Eastern Region

NTR - Normal Tariff Rate - Traffic Accounts

 

NTR stands for Normal Tariff Rate (in Traffic)

NTR refers to the total charges for transport of a commodity inclusive of:  

The Base Freight Rate as published in the goods tariff  

Plus Demand Management Charges like busy season surcharges. 

Plus Congestion Charge (if any) 

Plus supplementary charges as applicable on various transportation products.

YTSK - Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra

 

YTSK - Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra

• Private ticket booking counters authorized by Indian Railways to issue reserved and unreserved tickets through the PRS (Passenger Reservation System).

🔹 Key Features:

• Purpose: To expand ticketing facilities through authorized private agents beyond railway premises.
  
  

• Operated by: Registered individuals/firms/companies approved by zonal railways.

💰 Financial Requirements:

Particular	Amount
Registration Fee	₹2 lakh (one-time, non-refundable)
System Access Charges	₹1.6 lakh per terminal per annum
Security Deposit	₹1 lakh per terminal (up to ₹5 lakh max)
Revenue Sharing	25% of service charge to YTSK
Service Charges	₹30 (SL/2S), ₹40 (AC classes) per ticket

📆Other Key points:

• Tenure: 3 years (renewable)

• Maximum Terminals per Licensee: 4 (can be increased based on need)

• Working Hours: Generally 08:00 AM to 10:00 PM 

• Ticket Rolls: Supplied free by Railways (distinct color)

•  Counter Setup: Must be outside railway premises

• Training: Mandatory for operators
  

✅ YTSK: Success & Impact on Indian Railways

1. Convenient & Decentralized Ticketing

YTSKs provide PRS (reserved) and UTS (unreserved) ticketing outside station premises, reducing crowding and queue pressure at railway counters.  Ideal for passengers who are not internet-savvy or want to avoid station congestion.

2. Enhanced Passenger Reach

Serves localities and urban/rural areas away from stations, making ticketing more accessible and widespread

3. Balanced System Load

Helps decongest PRS counters, especially in peak periods, while complementing IRCTC website bookings (which already account for 70%+ of reservations) 

4. Private Partnerships with Accountability

Operated under strict licensing and monitoring to prevent misuse—Railways can disable terminals immediately if malpractices occur 

Advantages: 

• 🕒 Extended Hours: YTSK counters often operate longer than traditional PRS counters (e.g., 8:30 am–10 pm vs. 8 am–8 pm)
  
  

• 🎟️ Inclusive Access: Serves passengers without internet access or those unfamiliar with online booking.
  
  

• 💼 Public–Private Model: Enables more centers via PPP, increasing availability of booking counters even beyond station premises.
  
  

Disadvantages:

• 💰 Higher Charges: YTSKs levy service charges (₹30 for Sleeper/2S, ₹40 for AC), which are higher than standard PRS counters
  
  

• 🎯 Tatkal Disadvantage: Tatkal bookings open later than railway counters or IRCTC, leading to disadvantage during high-demand periods
  
  

• 💸 High Entry Barriers: Aspiring licensees must meet financial commitments—₹1.6 L system access per terminal, ₹2–5 L deposit, and ₹2–5 L registration fee depending on circulars and modifications.
  
  

• 🧾 Limitations on Service: Cannot issue concession tickets (except for senior citizens), no block booking, and limited cancellation ability (I
  
  

🚆 Final Word

YTSKs have helped decongest station counters, extended ticket booking hours, and brought railway ticketing closer to communities. They serve as a reliable option for users outside major stations, especially those uncomfortable with online booking. However, they come with higher charges, operational conditions, and limitations compared to direct PRS or IRCTC booking methods.

Key Points Summary: 

1. YTSK stands for Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra

2. Registration Fees : Rs. 2 Lakhs (One Time, Non Refundable)

3. System Access Charges Rs. 1.6 Lakhs per Terminal per Annum

4. Security Deposit: Rs. 1 Lakh per Terminal (up to Rs. Lakh maximum)

5. Revenue sharing: 25% of Service charge to YTSK

6. Service Charges Rs. 30 per Ticket (Non AC), Rs. 40 Per Ticket (AC)

7. Tenure: 3 Years 

8. Working hours: 8 AM to 10 PM

End