Even as the Railways extended the suspension of passenger, mail and express train services till April 14 in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing a 21-day nationwide lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday held a meeting with all general managers and DRMs to take stock of the running of freight trains.
In a tweet, Goyal said, “Had a meeting with GMs and DRMs over Video Conference and took stock of freight trains running to supply essential commodities amidst the COVID-19 lockdown.”
“Gave appropriate instructions to ensure there is no shortage in the availability of essentials to the citizens,” the railway minister said.
His remarks came amid the functioning of only goods trains to transport essential items.
On Tuesday, a total 891 rakes were loaded by Indian Railways which also includes other important commodities like 121 rakes of iron ore, 48 rakes of steel, 25 rakes of cement, 28 rakes of fertiliser, and 106 rakes of containers among others.
About 9,000 goods trains are running across the country to ensure the supply of essential items.
The railways has earlier announced suspension of passenger train services from March 23 to March 31. However, it extended the suspension of passenger train services till April 14 after Modi on Tuesday in a special address to the nation announced a three-week lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19.