In order to improve the transportation of goods, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has opened new stations for handling inward and outward goods traffic.
“Few more railway stations have been opened for freight traffic during last month enabling easier transportation of various goods by customers,” said Subhanan Chanda, chief public relations officer, NFR.
To boost outward freight traffic, the Udalguri station under Rangiya division has been opened for the handling of outward goods booking facility for stone chips & boulder traffic for a period of three months from August 3, 2020.
Also read: Goods trains’ speed increased in areas under Northeast Frontier Railway
“Rangapani station under Katihar division has also been opened for outward booking of Fertilizer traffic from August 12, 2020 until further advice,” the NFR official said.
Bagdogra station under Katihar division has been notified as a Container Rail Terminal (CRT) from August 21, 2020 for the handling of Container traffic till March 31, 2021, Chanda informed.
Vishwanath Charali station under Rangiya division has been opened for handling of all inward goods traffic except coal, POL, livestock, explosive and crane consignment on an experimental basis for a period of 6 months from August 24, 2020.
Lanka station under the Lumding division has been opened for the handling of outward coal traffic too from August 26, 2020 until further advice.
“Belonia station under Lumding division has been opened for inward traffic of stone chips, ballast & boulder traffic. Gauripur station under Alipurduar division has also been opened for handling of inward FCI traffic until further order with effect from August 27, 2020,” the NFR CPRO said in a statement.
Earlier also, the Northeaster Frontier Railway opened various stations for freight handling/booking.
The step has proved to be beneficial for booking of both inward and outward goods from these stations including handling of COVID19 parcel trains, Chanda claimed.
“So, transportation of essential commodities to and from nearby areas of these stations have now become easier during the pandemic situation. These steps will also boost the economy at the grass-root level as local traders will now be able to bring and book items through these stations by availing the newly provided facilities,” he said.
“As a result of the initiatives, record 897 rakes have been unloaded at various freight terminals during August 2020 as against 722 during the same month of last year. This is an improvement of about 25%,” he added.