Northeast Frontier Railway is working round the clock to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential and other commodities for common people. In this endeavour, wherever facilities are available, N. F. Railway has introduced round the clock working system in the goods sheds to help in avoiding hoarding of goods resulting in controlling the prices of essential commodities. Any delay in loading/unloading in N. F. Railway leads to delay in supply of essential & other commodities and disturbs the supply chain of commodity movement in the entire country. Hence abnormal delay beyond allowable free time is subject to penal action as per extent rules of the Railway Administration.
The round the clock working system helps in reduction of turnaround time thereby improving the mobility of the wagons. As a result, the availability of wagons has increased and more consumer durables can be supplied and transported in places where there is an urgent need.
Northeast Frontier Railway has introduced round the clock working system at 28 goods yards spread out in different stations to maintain the momentum of freight transportation. This is done because shortage of essential commodities often leads to increase in the prices of the goods due to which common people suffer. The round the clock working system also boosts the local economy and results in almost doubling of employment for the local labourers engaged in loading/unloading works at those locations. Further, it helps in additional employment generation for labourers when other avenues of income are limited during Covid pandemic.
Various works have already been taken up at good sheds under round the clock working, which include- provision of merchant room and resting room facilities for labour, drinking water, lighting, renovation of goods circulating area, construction of approach road to circulating area, widening of platform to increase the working space for loading/unloading etc. More facilities are being added as per need.
Allegation made by a few sections of the society that imposing penal provisions, like Wharfage & Demurrage has led to sharp increase of prices of essential commodities is unfounded. N. F. Railway’s all out efforts are on to supply essential commodities that reach the respective areas within time without delay. Railway is committed towards common people that they shouldn’t face shortage of essential commodities or fall prey of hoarders.
