Maligaon, March 27: Freight train operations are being continued 24 x 7 by NFR to ensure the supply essential commodities. Although, Ministry of Railways has decided to extend the cancellation of passenger train services on entire Indian Railways, in continuation of the measures taken in the wake of COVID-19 till 24:00 hrs of 14th April, 2020.
Essential staffs of NFR are working day and night to run freight train services throughout its jurisdiction ferrying essential commodities like salt, sugar, food-grains, petroleum products etc for public distribution system. Moreover NFR is also carrying items like potatoes, milk, vegetables, fertilizers and food-grains transported by private businessmen so that there is no shortage of these commodities in market for the need of common people.
In NFR area, 8 freight rakes loaded with essential items were unloaded in various goods sidings yesterday; while two rakes of Petroleum products and one rake of Coal was loaded for transportation. Freight trains loaded with Food grains were unloaded at Batnaha, New Jalpaiguri, Maldah Court sidings under Katihar division and Udaipur in Lumding division.
Salt was unloaded at Barpeta Road under Rangiya division, Wheat was unloaded at Silchar and Sugar at Jirania stations under Lumding division, Potato was unloaded at New Tinsukia under Tinsukia division. 44 more freight loaded trains are expected to enter NFR system today.
Moreover, in another exemplary initiative, few ladies staff working in the Mechanical Department of Katihar Division volunteered to manufacture Face masks from home. To cope with the situation as Face masks have become a scarce commodity in market and railway staff is discharging essential duty for Nation defying all odds amidst scourge of COVID-19.
Yesterday 80 Face masks have been made for distribution and this effort will be continued. Similarly, in Lumding division railway staff and members of Women Welfare Organization have stitched 2500 washable masks and distributed it to our front line workers. They are also making hand sanitizers for use of our essential duty staff.
It may be mentioned here that, apart from drivers, guard of train and trackmen on track patrolling duty, a number of our signal & telecommunication maintenance staff, station staff, staff at control offices, staff at Goods Offices, Level Crossing gates, RPF personnel etc are working day and night, for ensuring that trains carrying goods reach their destinations safely and supply of essential items for the nation doesn’t get affected.
Close coordination is being maintained with the State Governments so that the rakes of essential commodities are handled smoothly without any delay, amidst various restrictions imposed in the wake of COVID-19.
