Lalu announces relief in transporation to flood affected areas

Patna, Aug 24 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today announced cost free transportation of food materials to flood affected people in Bihar.

After making a whirlwind aerial survey to the flood affected districts of north Bihar, Mr Prasad, who is also the RJD supremo, assured all possible central assistance to the state government to cope up with the flood situation.

For immediate help, he said the railways would not charge fare for transportation of relief materials.

Describing the situation as ''catastrophic'' Mr Prasad said he would call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Shivraj Patil tomorrow to apprise them with the situation the people were facing due to floods. He told reporters that he would request them to visit Bihar as soon as possible.

Concerned over the devastating flood situation, he also suggested Chief Minister Nitish Kumar take an all party delegation to New Delhi for the solution of the perennial flood.

Mr Prasad also announced relief for transportation of grains and food materials in the railways to flood affected areas.

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