New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS): The Railways on Tuesday said that it has directed all zonal railway and production units to achieve zero scrap balance by the end of March 2018.

"The ministry has directed all zonal railway and production units to achieve zero scrap balance and all the General Managers have been advised to monitor this activity so as to promptly identify scrap and offer it for e-auction," the railway ministry said.

The Indian Railways sell its internally generated scrap entirely through online e-auction.

It also said that its income after selling the scraps this year has also increased by 22 per cent to Rs 1,837 crore as against Rs 1,503 crore.

"Total scrap sales till December 2017 of current financial year has reached to Rs 1,837 crore which is 22 per cent higher than the corresponding sales of Rs 1,503 crore upto December 2016 of the year 2016-17," read a statement.

According to railway officials, the earnings from the sale of scrap not only augments its revenue but also helps in keeping the tracks, stations, workshops, depots neat and tidy.

The scrap material comprises of worn-out rails and track fittings released from track renewal or gauge conversion, steel scrap generated in course of overhaul or repairs of rolling stocks, other non-ferrous and miscellaneous scrap.