TDC against stopping foot supply on account of rail line extension work
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, June 04 2014: Transporters and Drivers Council (Manipur) has suggested that the railway line extension work should be carried out without stopping the train services to avoid shortage of food supply in various states of the North East.

Manipur and Mizoram would be among those North Eastern states to be affected by Mega Block which will begin from October, 2014 to March, 2016 due to the proposed railway extension in some of the North-East Railway lines.

According to Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Mizoram Government, some of the railway tracks in North- East India such as Lumding - Badarpur, Badarpur - Jiribam, Badarpur - Bairabi and Badarpur - Churaibari/Dharmanagar/ Kumaraghat are under extension process to transform them to Broad Gauge Network.

The extension work would directly or indirectly affect some of the North Eastern states like South Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram.

As there would be no train service during this railway extension, Mega Block would be imposed along these railway lines which would undeniably affect the rice supply of North East states especially Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur.

Mention may be made that huge quantity of rice supply is being transported by train.

On being learnt about the propose Mega Block, some state governments of affected states have taken immediate step by consulting the officials of FCI and leaders of Central government to arrive at regular supply of rice in the state.

The Mizoram Chief Secretary and officials of FCS & CA Department has also already chalked out plan to avoid irregular supply of rice to the state due to Mega Block.

Meanwhile, addressing media here yesterday, Transporters and Drivers Council president H Ranjit said they have already apprised Manipur minister M Oken who is incharge of Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF & PD) to take measures in this connection.

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