'Mega Block' to affect rice supply, but people told not to panic
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Aizawl, May 29 2014:
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, official sources said today.
In view of the railway extension which would directly or indirectly affect rice supply of some North Eastern states, Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs today informed the people not to panic.
According to Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, 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 around 70% of Mizoram rice supply is being transported by train.
On being learnt about the propose Mega Block, the government of Mizoram has taken immediate step by consulting the officials of FCI and leaders of Central government to arrive at regular supply of rice in the state.
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, FCS & CA Minister John Rotluangliana had on Wednesday met Regional Manager, FCI and asked the latter to prepare proper plan for regular supply of rice.
The Regional Manager on his part had also intimidated that proper plan would be chalked out to avoid irregularity of supply of rice and in June preliminary test rice would be transported through a by-road.