The Indian Railways on Sunday said that it has decided to run special parcel trains to ensure uninterrupted and seamless supply chain of goods and essential commodities like dairy products, medical equipments and medicines on several routes during the nationwide lockdown.
Indian Railways has also offered 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 COVID19. In order to fill in this vital need, Indian Railways has made railway parcel vans available for quick mass transportation across the nation for the needy e-commerce entities and other customers including state governments to transport such goods,” it said in a statement.
It may be noted that Ministry of Home Affairs has already removed the restrictions on movement of goods and commodities in the country during the lock down period. “Provision of parcel trains and rapid transportation of goods will further bolster the efficiency of supply chains. The decision to run such trains will help in movement of small quantities as well of essential items viz. Dairy products, medical equipments and medicines, groceries, edible oil and other necessary items etc,” it said.
Different zones of Indian Railways are working out their own plans for running these parcel trains. They are reaching out prospective clients through various modes of communication including advertisements.