Free Meals

Thousands of migrants are left stranded in cities throughout the country as India goes through a 21-day nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. Seeing the consequences faced by poor and homeless people, Indian Railways catering arm IRCTC (Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation) provides free food to all the needy people amid the lockdown.

A total of 13 IRCTC base kitchens that are spread across the country have been made the nodal points for the distress meals distribution. The nationwide lockdown has drastically affected the livelihood pattern. The hardest hit among all is poor & homeless people who are helpless and struggling for basic survival. In order to cater to their needs, IRCTC is providing bulk cooked food.

The distress meal includes homemade food items such as dal khichdi with pickle, while certain other IRCTC units are working towards providing the Swaminarayan khichdi. Keeping in mind the local taste buds, Indian Railways catering arm is also serving lemon rice, khichdi-chokha and kadi chawal in the southern, eastern and northern regions of the country respectively.

The railway board is making incessant efforts to provide bulk meals to as many as 3,000 to 5,000 people at one go. Since March 28, 2020, IRCTC has distributed more than 102,937 meals at 23 locations across the country. While delivering the food to needy persons the railway staff is also observing social distancing and hygiene.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country rises to 2072 with 56 deaths. 1845 are active while 171 have been recovered. Seeing the rise in the number of coronavirus cases, Indian Railways is converting train coaches into isolation wards. These isolation centres would be used to quarantine those people who have symptoms of the infection or travel history. If you want to know more about how the Ministry of Railways is converting train coaches into isolation wards, read the blog Isolation Ward Coaches. The freight train operations across the rail network is continuously working to ensure the supply of essential commodities like milk, sugar, food grains, vegetables, medical equipment to all the parts of the country.

What do you think about such measures taken by Indian Railways? Let us know in the comments below. Step back, slow the spread! Keep reading the Trainman blog to know the latest updates on railways and COVID-19 virus. Trainman appeals to all the citizens throughout the nation to practise self-quarantine and social distancing to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.