Northern Railway has taken several measures for the people stranded in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, like running special trains from Katra, Udhampur and Jammu to different parts of the country and attaching extra coaches to regular services.
As many as 15,000 flood-affected persons have so far been cleared by railways, said a senior Northern Railway official.
Arrangements have also been made for free transportation of relief material by trains to Jammu and Udhampur.
A special train was made operational from Jammu to Indore via New Delhi to clear the stranded passengers and extra coaches were being added to regular trains as per requirement, he said. Two special trains are also running between Udhampur and Lucknow.
The railways was also facilitating their journey to places like Islampur, Allahabad, Araria Cantt, Bettiah, Katihar, Lalganj, Narkatiaganj, Purania, Kiahanganj, Darbhanga, Bugha, Malda Town and Jogbani.
Northern Railway, along with NGOs and gurudwaras, is providing food free of cost to the stranded passengers at these stations. Railways doctors, along with medical teams, are also attending to those in need.
The Delhi Division of Northern Railway has made special arrangements for evacuees from Jammu and Kashmir. Exclusive waiting rooms have been earmarked for their use at New Delhi Station.
"In case of onward journey requirement from New Delhi and any other assistance, passengers can contact Station Manager (mobile no. 9717648892) and Deputy Station Manager (9717631960)," the official said.
Help desks have also been set up at Jammu, Udhampur and Katra railway stations for convenience of the passengers. A special help desk of railways has also been set up at T-3 terminal of Indira Gandhi airport in Delhi.
Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a PSU of Ministry of Railways, has made drinking water bottles available for flood affected people of J&K. In addition, 50,000 bottles will be sent every day to the flood-affected areas. The supplies are being sent mostly through Air Force and some through trains.
