3 railway stns offer meals to migrants

Mar 30, 2020, 04.55 AM IST

New Delhi: Northern Railway and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) have started a food distribution drive at three major railway stations in Delhi — New Delhi, Nizamuddin and Shakurbasti — with 4,000 meals distributed on Saturday and Sunday.

A railway official said that the markings with proper spacing have been made on the ground for effective social distancing while queueing up. At present, food is only being distributed at these stations between 12 pm to 1 pm.

“Those standing in a queue stand in marked spaces on the ground until their turn arrives. Sanitisers are being used as well and all RPF personnel deployed have masks too. We will continue to distribute 2,000 meals every day,” said S C Jain, divisional railway manager (DRM), Delhi division.

An official said the food is being prepared in a hygienic base kitchen of the IRCTC and it is being distributed free of cost. “This is being done in order to feed the daily wage labourers and the homeless that are still in the city but may not have access to food. A lot of them who stay near railway stations can now get access to food. We are also spreading the word so people can reach here,” said a senior railway official. The official added that Anand Vihar railway station was also being considered as an addition to this scheme.

In addition to freight trains, Northern Railways on Sunday said it had also started running parcel special trains that will be carrying small quantities of essential items like dairy products, medical equipment, medicines and groceries.