Rlys to transport relief materials free of cost

The Railway Board, New Delhi, has decided to permit inter-state and intra-state free transport of aid and relief material by trains to districts affected by cyclone Gaja in Tamil Nadu.

No freight charges is to be levied for transportation of relief materials to the affected districts in Tamil Nadu, a communication addressed to General Managers of all Railway Zones said.

It said all government organisations across the country could book relief material free of cost to the affected districts. Other organisations, as deemed fit by the Divisional Railway Managers, may also make use of the provision.

The Divisional Railway Managers have been empowered to take decisions on necessary action including attaching additional bogies/coaches/vans to various Tamil Nadu bound trains. It would be preferable not to load the relief material in usual parcel vans but in separate vans/coaches.

No ancillary charges such as demurrage / wharfage or others are to be charged for transportation of relief materials, it said adding that the guidelines would remain effective till December 10, or till further orders whichever is earlier.

The delta districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam, besides Karaikal, which suffered extensive damage in the recent cyclone fall under the jurisdiction of Tiruchi Division.

Source