An Untold Story

Nripen Bhattacharyya

(The writer can be reached

at nripen08@gmail.com)

One local renowned person has expressed his gratitude for Northeast Frontier Railway'sefforts in providing unbiased services during the national lockdown period. The issue certainly needs attention. He never imagined that in his life time, he could have availed the railway services for transportation of his blood sample from Dibrugarh to Guwahati so that his Doctor may decide his further treatment based on Blood Report of Guwahati based NABH accredited laboratory. He further states that Northeast Frontier Railway has been playing a crucial role in the lives of people of this region and despite all odds, Railways are ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential goods at his neighbourhood without any escalation of prices.

Another lady while expressing her gratitude to Railways for ensuring essential commodities at her doorsteps states that to win a battle not only do we need good & well equipped soldiers but also equally good back up force who can ensure uninterrupted supply line. She believes that the country's war against CORONA lead by Govt. will definitely be won due to the efforts by due to the efforts of Corona Warriors on the front line war as well the essential backup support provided by Railwaymen.

Today almost all the people around the globe are struggling to overcome the terror of Covid-19 pandemic. India is not an exception. In our country, lakhs of corona warriors are fighting at their respective level against this deadly virus. While expressing our gratitude, images of corona warriors like Doctor, nurses, cleaner, chemist, ambulance drivers, policemen etc, come to our mind. Unfortunately, most of us forget the services of the Railwaymen without whose services there is hardly any possibility to maintain the supply chain of essential services on Pan India basis.

During the Nationwide lockdown period, Railways have demonstrated agility and ingenuity to cater to completely new requirements that arose in India's fight against COVID-19. As the situation being faced is an unprecedented one, the requirements are also of unique kind. However, there was challenge ofuninterrupted supply of essential commodities like rice, wheat, vegetables, milk, medicine, fruits, petroleum products etc. not only to the door steps of crores of the people of our country but also to Corona Warriors like Doctor, nurse, police men etc. so that they can effectively fight against this dark chapter of mankind. Besides there was challenge to provide PPE kits, blood sample etc. in the areas where these were needed. Indian Railway has played a significant role in providing its services for transportation of these essential commodities and lifesaving drugs and medical equipment's even beyond this region

Northeast Frontier Railway has already operated more than 651 nos. of inbound freight trains during the lockdown period w.e.f. March 25. These inbound freight trains were unloaded at Jorhat, New Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, New Guwahati, Azara, Changsari, Borpeta Road, Harmuti,New Coochbehar, New Jalpaiguri, Katihar etc. Similarly more than 80 Parcel Special trains arriving at Guwahati, New Guwahati, Azara, Changsari, Agatala and New Tinsukia from major industrial hubs situated in Delhi, Mumbai,Nagpur, Bangalore and Kolkata Area were unloaded for quick distribution of essential commodities to remote markets to provide relief to the public. In order to ensure hassle free booking and delivery of Parcel and freight consignments, all Railway Officials at every levelwereput into the job so that wheels of rail never stopped. Northeast Frontier Railway achieved to deliver such huge quantity of essential commodity with mandatory skeleton staff.

With an objective to provide transport solution to much needed Agriculture sector of Assam Area, NFR operated one round trip time tabled COVID -19 Kissan Parcel Train in between Guwahati – Dibrugarh with intermediate halt at Jagiroad, Chaparmukh Jn., Hojai, Lumding, Diphu, Dimapur, Sarupathar, FarkatingJn, Mariani Jn., Simaluguri Jn., Duliajan& New TinsukiaJn in both direction on April 29 and April 30. This pair of COVID-19 Kissan Parcel Train in between Guwahati – Dibrugarh carries more than 55.62 tonnes of material which has provided much relief to the farmers of the area

These Parcel Special Services rendered by the Indian Railway are not only ensuring availability of essential commodities across the country but also playing a pivotal role in fight against Covid-19 with support to the growth of our economy.

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