7 Trains from (PNBE)PATNA JN to (ADI)AHMEDABAD JN

Press Release No. 2020/04Mumbai, 3^rdApril, 2020

ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES & VITAL GOODS ARE DELIVERED TO VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY BY WR EVEN DURING CORONA LOCKDOWN

In the wake of the 21-day lockdown to contain the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, Western Railway's staff from various departments continues to display grit and commitment through their exemplary services. This is so because, Western Railway is fully committed to its customers and continues to ensure supply of essential commodities like milk and milk products to different parts of the country.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar - Chief Public Relations Officer of WesternRailway, four timetabled trains were planned to run by WR with 18 trips between 31^st March to 15^th April, 2020 comprising of, 12 trips between Bandra Terminus & Ludhiana, 2 trips between Kankariya & Sankrail Goods terminal, 2 trips between Karambeli & Changsari and 2 trips between Kankaria and Chennai Central. Out of these, 3 trains, o­ne each have already departed fromKankaria in Ahmedabad to Sankrail goods terminal at West Bangal, from Bandra Terminus to Ludhiana andfrom Karambeli in Gujarat to Changsari in Assam respectively. o­ne more trip of the Bandra Terminus – Ludhiana is scheduled to depart today i.e o­n 3^rdApril, 2020. All efforts are being made by WR to ensure the regular supply of essential commodities across all parts of country through its freight trains. Western Railway through itsParcel Express trains carry commodities such as Milk Product, Edible Oil, Spices, Groceries and Biscuits, dry grass etc. Since the lockdown period till now, from 22^nd March to 2^nd April, 2020, total 649 rakes have been used to supply essential commodities amounting to 1.35 million tonnes. 1661 freight trains were interchanged with other railways, including 820 trains handed over and 841 trains taken over at different interchange points. 13 Millennium Parcel rakes of Parcel Vans/Railway Milk Tankers (RMTs) have been sent to different parts of the country to cope the demands of essential items such as milk powder, liquid milk and other general consumer goods.

Shri Bhakar stated that total losses over Western Railway up to2^nd April, 2020 has been Rs235.69 Cr (inclusive of suburban+ non-suburban). Inspite of this, Western Railway has also successfully refunded Rs. 133.38 crores against cancellation of tickets till now and in Mumbai Division itself refund of Rs. 62.96 crores has been made. In all 21.10 lakh passengershave cancelled their tickets for Western Railway& hv recd refund accordingly.

It is noteworthy to mention that suitable monitoring of all activities & arrangements are being carried out by the Principal Heads of Deptts. along with their teams to cope with the situation and to ensure smooth implementation of all plans, under the aegis of Shri Alok Kansal - General Manager of Western Railway.Western Railway truly believes in giving its optimal services even in the tough times of lockdown due to Coronavirus Pandemic. W. Rly continues to serve the nation by lending its hand through essential service, be it freight traffic or medical facilityor any other good initiatives for the society & the Nation.

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Press Release No. 2020/03Mumbai, 3^rdApril, 2020,

WESTERN RAILWAY & IRCTC CONTINUE FEEDING THE NEEDY PERSONS WITH MOTIVE THAT "NO o­nE SLEEPS HUNGRY"

With the lockdown getting people to stop going to work and facing shortage of financial and basic food requirements , IRCTC has geared up it's base kitchens in Mumbai Central and Ahmedabad stations for preparing distress meals in huge quantities for the poor and needy people.Western Railway too o­n its part is making all efforts to reach out to the needy and provide all assistance wherever possible with the unique motive that NO o­nE SLEEPS HUNGRY.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar - Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway along with IRCTC continues to serve the less privileged section of the society by preparing community meals in its base kitchen at Mumbai Central and Ahmedabad. Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation o­n the 3^rd of April, 2020 served around 9100 community meals from their Base Kitchen.6600 meals were prepared at Mumbai Central base kitchen and 2500 meals at Ahmedabad base kitchen. The community meals were served to the needy through various NGOs, in co-ordination with the Commercial and RPF Department of Western Railway. Nanhi Pari NGO with Team Spreading Smiles distributed 1000 Bhojans at Dharavi Kawde chawl, prepared hygienically at IRCTCMumbai Central Base Kitchen. Senior Railway Institute of Santacruzdistributed food packets to the medical staff of V.N Desai Civil Hospital, Santacruz, staff of Vakola police station and in the slums of Golibar in Santacruz. They also donated 225 masks and sanitizers for the use of Loco Pilots and Asstt. Loco Pilots. 125 grocery kits were distributed to coolies of Ahmedabad station funded by Divisional Railway Manager’s benevolent fund and Ticket checking staff of Ahmedabad. Near Bhavnagar station too the Commercial staff displayed their caring nature and distributed 500 meals to the needy.Food packets were also distributed by Ekta group, Om sai seva charitable trust and volunteers to 72 needy people outside Rajkot station premises.

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