RAJKOT JN

      The 41 days old noble service campaign  "Mission Food Distribution" over 6 divisions of Western Rly, has  now been further activated  with new aspects of social service i.e. awareness about social distancing & cleanliness as well as motivation  of the frontline corona warriors by various social organisations like civil defence, scouts & territorial army, at different places over Western Railway.

      According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar - Chief Public Relations Officer of W.Rly, o­ne such social service campaign was held at WR's Loco Shed of Vadodara, where members  of Civil Defence, Scouts, Territorial Army & St. John Ambulance Brigade  of Loco Shed  voluntarily performed their special duties by  motivating loco shed staff at work place . They ensured that proper social distance is being maintained at work place and all working staff is wearing suitable masks. They also insisted upon use of paddle operated (hands free) arrangements for washing hands by liquid soap and for drinking water in loco shed. Similarly, motivational speeches are also being given by these volunteers to staff   from time to time for not to afraid with corona, but to sincerely fight with all suitable precautions and maintaining social distance. Meanwhile, the joint mission food distribution by Western Rly & IRCTC entered in 41st day o­n 8th May, 2020, as it was started o­n 29th March, 2020. In last 41 days during lockdown, total 4.98  lakh  food packets have been distributed in all 6 divisions of Western Rly, to various needy &  helpless persons. Out of this, a major share of  2.52 lakh food packets, has been provided by West Zone of IRCTC from its base kitchens at Mumbai Central & Ahmedabad.  Staff of Western Railway from commercial, RPF & other departments with the help of IRCTC, have worked actively, since 29th March, 2020 to provide hot cooked meals to needy persons, during the lockdown due to COVID-19. While delivering the food to needy persons, necessary aspects of social distancing and hygiene  are being ensured minutely by all concerned.In continuation to thismission, o­n 8^th May , 2020, total 7740 food packets were distributed over six divisions of  W.Rly. In addition to IRCTC's community food, Mumbai Central division's commercial staff distributed 1240 meal packets through various NGOs at different places over Mumbai Division, while in Ahmedabad division, 3425 food packets were distributed  other than  IRCTC.    Vadodara  division   distributed 1500 food packets  through Akshay Patra Foundation in Vadodara city. Welfare  Inspectors of  Vadodara division  distributed the Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Medicines to the employees of different sections to boost their immunity to fight against COVID-19. 160   food packets were distributed by W.Rly's local staff and NGOs at Junagadh and Vartej   stations . 150   meal packets were distributed by Rajkot division at Jamnagar, Surendra Nagar, Wankaner and Hapa with the help of  Sai Seva Trust , Jalaram Seva Trust and Reliance Industries Ltd.  215 food packets were distributed at different stations over Ratlam division. Jain Sangh of Vapi distributed  50food packets to housekeeping staff, parcel loaders and other o­n duty staff at Vapi station. . WR's commercial staff also distributed various food packets near Charni Road & Matunga Road stations. Sahakar Charitable Trust of Valsad distributed 800 food packets to needy persons in Dhobi Talav area of Valsad Rly station.

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WR Press Release No. 2020/05Mumbai, 7^thMay, 2020

WESTERN RLY ENSURED TRANSPORTATION OF 26 THOUSAND TONNES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES THROUGH PARCEL SPL TRAINS IN LAST 45 DAYS DURING LOCKDOWN

In the wake of the lockdown to contain the spread of the deadly Corona virus, Western Railway's staff from various departments is ensuring to continue to display grit and commitment through their exemplary services. This is so because, Western Railway has always been fully committed to its customers and has continuedto ensure supply of essential commodities to different areas. As a unique initiative, WR has scheduled various timetabled Parcel special trains during lockdown period to variousplaces of the country & in last 45 days transportation of 26 thousand tonnes of essential commodities has been ensured through these special trains.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar - Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, during the lockdown period from 22^nd March to 6^th May, 2020, total 3174 rakes of goods trains have been used to supply essential commodities amounting to 6.96 million tonnes. 6525 freight trains were interchanged with other railways, including 3291 trains handed over and 3234 trains taken over at different interchange points. 171 Millennium Parcel rakes of Parcel Vans/Railway Milk Tankers (RMTs) have been sent to different parts of the country to cope with the demands of essential items such as milk powder, liquid milk , medical supplies and other general consumer goods. Since 23^rd March to 6^thMay 2020, commodities weighing more than 26000 tonnes have been transported by Western Rly through its various parcel special trains, which included agricultural produce, medicines, fish, milk etc. The earnings generated through this transportation, has been approx Rs 7.82 crore. In this, twenty two milk special trains were run by Western Rly, with a load of approx 16000 tonnes and 100% utilization of the wagons, generating revenue of approx Rs 2.74 crore. Similarly, 143 Covid-19 special parcel trains were also run to transport essential commodities, for which the revenue earned was approx Rs 4.30 crore. In addition to this, 4 indented rakes were also run with 100% utilization for earnings of approximately 78 lakh.

Shri Bhakar informed that seven parcel special trains, including o­ne milk rake left from WR for various parts of the country o­n 7^th May, 2020 viz. Rajkot – Coimbatore, Okha – Guwahati, Dadar – Bhuj, Bandra Terminus – Okha, Okha – Bandra Terminus, and Mumbai Central – Firozpur. o­ne milk rake also left from Palanpur to Hind Terminal. He stated that the total loss of earnings over Western Railway inclusive of suburban + non -suburban sections, since March, 2020, has been Rs 746.57 crore o­n account of lockdown. Inspite of this, due to cancellation of tickets till now, Western Railway has ensured to refund amount of Rs 238.04 crore. It's worthmentioning that in this refund amount, Mumbai division alone, has ensured refund of Rs 115.03 crore. Till now, 37.22 lakh passengers have cancelled their tickets over entire Western Railway & have received their refund amount accordingly. It is also worth mentioning that upto 6^th May, 2020 more than 1.5 lakh masks and above 15000 liters of sanitizers have been made inhouse by variousdivisions and workshops of WR during lockdown period.

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