Farmers Movement Archive

Northern Railways ferries 18 LMT grain amid lockdown

Moga, May 14The Northern Railways has transported 18 LMT of foodgrain, including wheat and rice, and potatoes on 762 goods trains between March 22 and May 12. The trains were hired by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to transport food items to states where there is a deficit.Claiming that the Indian Railways was playing a pivotal role in ensuring supply of essential commodities during the lockdown, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Ferozepur, Rajesh Aggarwal, said the Railways was making all-out efforts to ensure that agro products such as foodgrain was picked up on time to ensure uninterrupted supply across the country.The loading, transportation and unloading of the essential commodities was in progress in full swing during the lockdown period, he said.He said the demand for transportation of products had increased during the lockdown.Despite the shortage of trucks and labour, the divisional railway teams were working round the clock. In one rake, at least 84 wagons were loaded against the normal capacity of 42 wagons, saving both labour cost and time, Aggarwal added.During the loading operations, protocols such as maintaining social distancing, wearing of masks, gloves, using sanitisers, besides disinfecting the wagons were followed as per the guidelines, the DRM said.

The Tribune

2020-05-15