During the COVID-19 related national lockdown, Assam Transport Department is closely working with Indian Railways and Food and Civil Supplies Department to ensure that essential commodities which have been brought to Assam are unloaded and smoothly transported to various parts of Assam.
State transport minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in a review meeting on Tuesday has directed the senior officers of Transport Department to ensure that adequate numbers of trucks are made available for carrying of essential food commodities in the districts.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
There are three major railway yards located at Azara, New Guwahati and Changsari.
Transport Department has deputed one nodal officer at each location to coordinate with railway authorities for quick unloading and movement of goods being brought through railway rakes.
Around 100 trucks each carrying essential commodities from Azara and New Guwahati railway yards and 70 trucks from Changsari railway yard have been transported to various parts of the Northeast on Tuesday.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
In other districts, DTOs are coordinating with railway and district administration.
Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) has also been extending support to manage the pandemic in the State by providing 76 buses which are now operating in coordination with district administration, hospitals, police and municipal bodies.
Out of these 76 buses, 20 are operating in Guwahati and facilitating the movement of health officials.
It may also be mentioned that from March 24 to April 5, essential commodities received by Northeast Frontier Railway are 74 rakes of food grains, six rakes of salt, 13 rakes of sugar, three rakes of edible oil, 10 rakes of mixed food items, one rake of fodder, eight rakes of fertilizer, seven rakes of potato and other items.
It may be mentioned that one rake of goods train consists of average 50 wagons.
While unloading of goods, labourers are being provided masks and sanitizers and other precautionary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of labourers, railway and transport officials.