Maligaon, March 30: Indian Railways has decided to provide bulk cooked food with paper plates to needy people from the locations where they have base kitchens of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation.
At present IRCTC is having base kitchens in stations like Katihar, Rajendranagar, Sealdah, Howrah, Prayagraj, Jhansi, Kanpur, New Delhi, Paharganj, CSMT, Pune, Sholapur, Bhusawal, Itarsi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai Central, Khurdha Road, Balasore, Vijaywada, Bangalore, Hubli, Thiruvananthapuram, Chengalpattu, Katpadi, Mangalore.
Yesterday, IRCTC supplied total 11030 lunch meal to needy people, migrant labours, few old age homes and others across the country. Katihar Base Kitchen in NFR provided 500 meals yesterday to needy people which were distributed by RPF with the help of NGO. RPF with the help of NGOs also provided about 150 meals at New Jalpaiguri and Samsi station areas.
IRCTC will be providing food on demand. Distribution will be done by RPF personnel or other Railway authorities. The assistance of NGOs, volunteers will also be taken if needed. While delivering the food to needy persons, social distancing and hygiene is being observed.
It may be noted that Indian Railways and IRCTC are gearing up to meet any higher demand to provide food to needy in the times of lock down , which has been imposed to prevent the spread of COVID -19. IRCTC is ready for any contingency and adequate stocks of food grains and other raw material are being maintained.
Moreover, to ensure an uninterrupted and seamless supply chain of goods and essential commodities in the wake of COVID-19, Indian Railways is offering its unhindered services of Parcel Trains for nationwide transportation of essential commodities and other goods required to meet the needs of citizens of the nation.
Transportation of essential items like medical supplies, medical equipment, food, etc in small parcel sizes is going to be very important during the lockdown in the wake of COVID-19.
Indian Railways has made railway parcel vans available for quick mass transportation across the nation for the needy E – Commerce companies and other customers including State governments.
Provision of Parcel trains and rapid transportation of goods will further bolster the efficiency of supply chains during the lock down period. This will help in movement of essential items viz.
Dairy Products, Medical Equipments and Medicines, Groceries, Edible oil and other necessary items etc. in small quantities as well. These parcel trains are in addition to normal freight trains that are being run for carriage of food-grains and POL items.
Running of Parcel specials has been planned on 20 routes. The routes include New Delhi – Guwahati, Moga – Changsari, Kalyan – Guwahati, Shalimar – New Guwahati. Industrial houses, companies, any interested groups, organizations, individuals may avail of these services. Interested parties may approach the Railway Parcel Offices and Divisions for further details.
