'NFR carried 408 freight rakes of essentials from March 23 to April 16'

TNN | Apr 18, 2020, 16:05 IST

GUWAHATI: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has carried more than 408 freight rakes containing essential items to various states within its jurisdiction between March 23 and April 16.
NFR chief PRO Subhanan Chanda said the 408 freight rakes include 172 rakes of FCI food grains, seven of other food grains, 19 rakes of sugar, 12 rakes of salt, 25 rakes of cement, 24 rakes of mixed food items, six rakes of edible oil, 46 rakes of coal for power plants, 32 rakes of fertilizer, 27 rakes of POL product, seven rakes of iron and steel and eight container rakes to mention some of them.
"In NFR area, freight trains loaded with food grains were unloaded at places like Batnaha, New Jalpaiguri, Maldah Court sidings under Katihar division and Udaipur in Lumding division, salt and food grains were unloaded at Barpeta Road and Changsari under Rangiya division, wheat, food grains were unloaded at Silchar and sugar at Jirania stations under Lumding division, potatos at New Tinsukia, food grains at Jorhat and Tinsukia," he said.
"While number of wagons in a rake depend on the materials carried, one wagon carries about 58 to 60 tons of goods," he added.
"During this critical situation, the Indian Railways' staff deployed at various good sheds, stations, tracks and control offices, apart from drivers and guards, are working with full devotion to ensure supply of essential items," he said.
He said that an emergency freight movement control centre is working in the ministry of railways to monitor uninterrupted movement of materials for fuelling power, transport and infrastructure sectors and other essential commodities. Movement of freight trains is being closely monitored by officials at very senior level during this lockdown period to ensure that there is no scarcity.