The yards, premises and platforms of different stations falling under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) now would offer a clean look as the solid scrap items are going to be disposed of through auctioning. The sale of scrap is undertaken by the Stores department.
The railway scrap includes cast iron, light melting scrap like sheets, plates and brake hanger, heavy melting scrap wheels, axles rolling scrap like rails, non-ferrous scrap like copper, brass and white metal, besides condemned wagons, coaches and locomotives.
According to NFR sources here, the sale of scrap would generate revenue worth Rs 100 crore. The Indian Railways has recently decided to switch over to 100% e-auction for disposal of scrap eliminating need for physical presence or physical bidding by purchasers. The actual volume of sale of scrap would depend on how heavy melting scraps like wheels or axles are discarded or how many wagons and coaches are condemned.
The Railway Ministry has developed in-house the system of e-auctioning. Subsequently, electronic bidding system has been designed to enable participation in auction through internet using digital certificate for security. The e-auction process makes the payment process electronic and smooth for purchasers and handling of cash is not necessary.
