Maligaon, March 24: Indian Railway had suspended all passenger carrying train services from 04:00 hrs of 22-03-2020 to achieve the objective of social distancing in our fight against COVID-19 outbreak.
The Union and State Governments have also announced lockdown in 30 States and Union Territories and all railway employees, barring the essential staff, are advised to work from home.
However, during this difficult time, our essential staff are toiling day and night as Indian Railways is working 24×7 to run freight services throughout the country ferrying essential commodities like salt, sugar, food-grains for public distribution system and petroleum products etc.
Moreover we are also carrying other items like potatoes, milk, vegetables, fertilizers and food-grains transported by private businesses so that there is no shortage of these commodities among the general populace of the country.
As on midnight of 23-03-2020, there are 144 goods trains running within Northeast Frontier Railway system carrying essential commodities and other items, and 66 more goods trains will enter our system within the next two-three days. These trains are carrying various items as detailed below-
| Sugar | Salt | FCI foodgrain | POL | Edible Oil | Mixed goods | Potatoe | Foodgrain (Pvt) | Others | Total | |
| No. of trains running within NFR | 4 | 2 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 106 | 144 |
| No. of trains to enter NFR in next few days | 1 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 66 |
| Total | 5 | 5 | 21 | 9 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 153 | 210 |
A number of our maintenance staff, station staff, staff at control offices, staff at Goods Offices, Level Crossing gates etc are working despite the risk, for ensuring that these 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. Indian Railway understands its crucial role and responsibility during this difficult time. Please support us in fighting the spread of corona and ensuring essential supplies to the public.
