GUWAHATI, April 8 - Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, at a review meeting, has directed the senior officers of the transport department to ensure that adequate numbers of trucks are made available for carrying essential items.
There are three major railway yards, located at Azara, New Guwahati and Changsari. The 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 commodities from Azara and New Guwahati railway yards, and 70 trucks from the Changsari railway yard have been transported to various parts of the North East today.
In other districts, DTOs are coordinating with the respective railway and district administrations. The Assam State Transport Corporation has also been extending support to fight the pandemic in the State by providing 76 buses, which are now operating in coordination with the district administrations, hospitals, police and civic bodies. Of these, 20 are operating in Guwahati and facilitating the movement of health officials.
From March 24 to April 5, essential commodities received by the NF Railway are 74 rakes of foodgrains, 6 rakes of salt, 13 rakes of sugar, 3 rakes of edible oil, 10 rakes of mixed food items, 1 rake of fodder, 8 rakes of fertilizers, 7 rakes of potato and other items.
While unloading of goods, labourers are being provided masks and sanitizers and other measures are being taken to ensure the safety of labourers and transport officials.
