IN Bureau

Indian Railways, one of the world's largest rail networks, continues to carry supplies, including essential commodities, in more than 1.6 lakh wagons after the nationwide lockdown. The objective is to keep the supply chains functional all over the country amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

Essential commodities like food-grains, salt, sugar, milk, edible oil, onions, fruits, vegetables, petroleum products, coal, and fertilizers continue to be transported as the entire country has been locked down for three weeks starting Wednesday.

Every day, the Railways staff deployed at various good sheds, stations and control offices is working on 24/7 basis to ensure that the supply of essential items for the nation does not gets affected.

Railway officials said close coordination is being maintained with the state governments so that large amounts of commodities are handled smoothly and without any delay, amidst various restrictions imposed in the wake of Covid-19.

An emergency freight control department handled by senior officials is working in the Ministry of Railways to monitor the uninterrupted freight movement and ensure faster loading and unloading of the supplies..