SILCHAR

NFR is fulfilling its commitment to ensure availability of different types of food grains, important raw material for industries and fuel through its freight train services to meet the requirements of the common people, power & industry sector, transport and key infrastructure sectors during the nationwide lock down. N.F. Railway has transported huge quantity of Food grains, Sugar, Salt, Coal, Cement, Edible oil and POL products etc to every nook & corner within its jurisdiction as per requirement and demand received.

During the lockdown period from 23^rd March to 20^th April 2020, NFR carried more than 480 freight rakes to and from various parts of our country. Items carried were unloaded in the goods sidings of various states within the jurisdiction of NFR as per demand received.

Items unloaded/transported includes, 211 rakes of FCI food grains, 7 rakes of other food grains, 20 rakes of sugar, 17 rakes of salt, 27 rakes of cement, 27 rakes of mixed food items, 57 rakes of coal for power plants and other industries, 35 rakes of fertilizer, 27 rakes of POL product, 7 rakes of edible oils, 7 rakes of iron/steel, 4 rakes of automobiles, 8 rakes of fly ash, 1 rake of maize, 2 rakes of stone chips and 9 container rakes to mention some of them. While no of wagons in a rake depend o­n the materials carried, o­ne wagon carries about 58-60 tons of goods.

In NFR area, freight trains loaded with Food grains were unloaded at places like Batnaha, New Jalpaiguri, Maldah Court and many other goods sidings under Katihar division, New Coochbehar, New Alipurduar under Alipurduar division and Udaipur in Lumding division, Salt & food grains was unloaded at Barpeta Road, New Bongaigaon and Changsari under Rangiya division, Wheat, Food grains etc was unloaded at Silchar and Sugar, foodgrains at Jirania stations under Lumding division, Potato was unloaded at New Tinsukia, Food grains were unloaded at Jorhat, Tinsukia and many other goods sidings under Tinsukia division.

Moreover 25 parcel express trains from various locations carrying items like milk, milk products, fast food, baby food, biscuits etc have been unloaded in NFR till yesterday.

It may be mentioned here that, NFR has also started small size parcel train for movement of items in small quantities by businessman or State Govt departments.

During this critical situation, Indian Railways staff deployed at various good sheds, stations, tracks and control offices apart from drivers, guards etc continued working with full devotion to ensure that the supply of essential items for these critical sectors does not gets affected.

Movement of freight trains are being closely monitored by officials at very senior level during this lockdown period to ensure that there is no scarcity. Indian Railways along with Ministry of Home affairs are in touch with various State Governments to ensure smooth loading and unloading operations. It may be mentioned here that, an emergency freight movement control centre is working in the Ministry of Railways, to monitor the uninterrupted movement of materials for fuelling the power, transport and infrastructure sectors and other essential commodities all over Indian Railways.

Indian Railways is making all out efforts to supplement the health care initiatives of Government of India. In this direction Indian Railways is producing Masks and Hand Sanitizer in-house in its all Zonal Railways, Production Units and PSUs. As these items are of great necessity during the current crucial period. This is in addition to the various other measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

NFR also produced more than 800 ltrs of hand sanitizer and nearly 20000 masks for use by its o­n-duty staff. Masks are being made by staff who are working from their respective home due to lockdown and hand sanitizer are being produced in various depot. Masks are being made by staff in various locations like Agartala, Alipurduar, Lumding, Silchar, Katihar, Tinsukia, Rangiya etc. Till 1^st April 2020 Indian Railways has in house produced total 287704 nos. of masks and 25806 litres of hand sanitizer in all its Zonal Railways and Production Units.

Operation and maintenance staffs of NFR are working round the clock, since freight operations of Indian Railways are running 24 X 7 to maintain supplies of essentials items and other goods throughout the nation. To ensure safety of these staff and boost their morale, following is being ensured at all workplaces:

i.Masks and hand sanitizers are being made available to all staff coming o­n duty. These are also being ensured for contract labourers.

ii.Soap, water and washing facilities are being provided at all work places. With local innovations hands free washing facilities have been provided at all vulnerable locations.

iii.Social distancing is being ensured. Awareness in this regard is being regularly spread amongst all staff like trackmen, locomotive pilots etc.