An interaction programme on procedures for booking of railway wagons for carrying goods up-to Khongsang, Noney district was conducted on Saturday at Classic Grande with traders of Manipur and official authorities, which was organised by the Transport Department in association with NF Railway.
This came about following the prevailing law-and-order situation in the state where movement of essential items to the state had been completely cut-off. However, with the cooperation of the state government, NFR has operated a freight train carrying essential commodities and other food items to Khongsang Railway station in Manipur.
The interaction programme was conducted to solve problems of booking railway wagons, as NFR newly operated a freight train carrying essential commodities in Manipur.
During the inaugural session, chief secretary of Manipur, Vineet Joshi said that movement of essential commodities and other food items was cut-off due to the ongoing situation in Manipur.
NFR fulfilled its commitment towards supply of essential items to the state during the time of crisis. NFR has allowed piecemeal re-booking of wagons as a special case as requested by the government of Manipur, the CS said.
Using the railway is the cheapest transport and there is no doubt in mind that whatever the problem is, it can be solved. Wagons for carrying goods is to ensure that the state does not face any lack of commodities, he said.
“Hope the interaction will define prospective problems which may come and find a way to solve,” he added.
It may be noted that the freight train carrying essential and other non-essential items consist of 11 wagons - 02 wagons of potatoes were loaded from Dhupguri, 03 wagons of sugar were loaded from Azara and 06 wagons with FMCG items were loaded from Guwahati for the people of Manipur. The items loaded were transported to Khongsang. This station was created in 2022 as a part of the Jiribam-Imphal new line project.
NFR official informed that a Marketing Inspector has been specially deputed in Imphal for the convenience of the Manipur-based traders to help them in booking the commodities through Railways. The Marketing Inspector will be available round the clock for any queries of the traders, the official said.
The inaugural session was attended by Transport department secretary, Micheal Achom; deputy director David Elangbam and leaders of Manipur traders.
During the technical session NFR officials presented a PowerPoint presentation for the booking of railway wagons. ERDO secretary N Shanta also shared his experience of trading during the crisis.
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