Railways ramps up production of masks & sanitisers

The Indian Railways has so far produced 73,840 litres of hand sanitisers.

Free meals being made available to needy persons

Maligaon, April 9 (MExN): In order to supplement the health care initiatives of Government of India, the Indian Railways is producing masks and hand sanitizer in-house in its all zonal railways, production units and PSUs. This is in addition to the various other measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The North East Frontier Railway (NFR) produced more than 2400 litres of hand sanitizer and nearly 42,000 reusable face masks for use by its on-duty staff till April 8. A press release from the NFR informed that masks are being made by staff who are working from their respective homes due to lockdown and hand sanitizer are being produced in various depots. Masks are being made by staff in various locations like Agartala, Alipurduar, Lumding, Silchar, Katihar, Tinsukia, Rangiya etc. Till April 8, the Indian Railways has in house produced a total of 6,27,998 reusable face masks and 73,840 litres of hand sanitizer in all its zonal railways and production units.

Operation and maintenance staff of NFR are working round the clock, since freight and parcel train operations of Indian Railways are running 24X7 to maintain supplies of essentials items and other goods throughout the nation.

Masks and hand sanitizers are being made available to all staff coming on duty. These are also being ensured for contract labourers. 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. Social distancing is being ensured. Awareness in this regard is being regularly spread amongst all staff like trackmen, gatemen, locomotive pilots etc.

Meanwhile, till April 8, the IRCTC has provided 7,700 free meals and other agencies provided about 30000 free meals to needy people in NFR area, which were distributed by RPF. On April 8, IRCTC in NFR provided 950 meals to needy people which were distributed by RPF in Katihar & Lumding division. While various other organizations / NGOs also provided meals to more than 3300 persons at places like New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, Samsi, Manihari, Alipurduar, New Coochbehar, New Bongaigaon, Azara, Changsari, Kamakhya, Guwahati, New Guwahati, Silchar, New Tinsukia and Dibrugarh station areas.

The NF Railway Women’s Welfare Organization also produced and distributed 3500 masks and provided meals to 260 needy persons. While delivering the food to needy persons, social distancing and hygiene is being strictly observed to minimise the chance COVID-19 contamination, the NFR assured. Throughout, the Indian Railways more than 8,60,000 free meals were provided till April 8.