Indian Railways has transported approx 6.75 lakh wagons of commodities including about 4.50 lakh wagons of essential commodities like food grains, salt, sugar, edible oil, coal and petroleum products through its freight services during the nationwide lock down to strengthen Government’s efforts in managing the challenges and adverse impact of Covid-19 in the country.
“Railways delivered total 2,58,503 wagons of commodities out of which 1,55,512 wagons contained essential items. This includes 21,247 wagons of food grains, 11,336 wagons of fertilizer, 1,24,759 wagons of coal and 7,665 wagons of petroleum products during the week 2nd April to 8th April,” the Ministry said.
It may be recalled that the Union Government has granted a slew of exemptions and relaxations for agriculture and allied sectors with respect to the 21-day lockdown over the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak so as to ensure that the farmers do not suffer from any adverse fall out.
Railways has also introduced 109 time-table parcel trains to supply essential commodities including perishable horticulture produce, seeds, milk and dairy products, it said, adding that approximately, 59 routes (109 trains) for parcel special trains have been notified since the beginning of the lockdown.
With this, almost all the important cities of India will get connected for transportation of essential and perishable goods at a fast speed. These services are expected to be further scaled up as per requirement, it added.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), with its orders under the Disaster Management Act, has allowed manufacture/production, transport and other related supply-chain activities in respect of essential goods like foodstuff, medicines and medical equipment.