Nanded Division incurred Rs 150 cr estimated loss during lockdown

The Nanded Division has incurred an estimated loss of Rs 150 crore during the past 5 months of lockdown, stated Nanded DRM Upinder Singh on Friday.Addressing a virtual press conference, he informed that the Division, which comes under the South Central Railway, has attempted to increase cargo transport to make up for the whopping revenue loss.

Describing the crucial role played by the Division during the lockdown, he told, "During the period of crisis, it made available foodgrains to the labourers and the needy persons along with providing 12,000 washable face masks and sanitizers to all employees in the division."

Talking about future plans, he apprised, "After talking to the merchants, it has been decided to transport various agricultural goods like cotton, turmeric and foodgrains to other states."

"Doubling work of the Parbhani-Mudkhed line is over and now attempts are to increase the speed of trains to 50 km/hour. Also, instead of launching a new train for Mumbai from Aurangabad it will be started from Nanded," he added.

Regaring the Sachkhand Express, which is an important mode of transport for devotees coming from Punjab to visit gurudwaras here, he mentioned that it is among the 230 special trains running presently across India.

"The Sachkhand gets almost 34 per cent occupancy from this Division and rest is more from other areas. During the lockdown, 18 Shramik Special trains were commissioned from Nanded, Aurangabad and Jalna and ferried 23,578 passengers," he lamented