ECR to run special trains for Bihar flood victims

Patna, Aug 27 (UNI) East Central Railway(ECR) has decided to run ten pairs of special passenger trains and some relief trains for the victims of devastating floods in north Bihar, from tomorrow.

The decision was taken at a high level meeting presided over by ECR General Manager Girish Bhatnagar at the ECR headquarters near here today.

The meeting, which took stock of the prevailing situation in all the 12-flood affected districts of north Bihar, had decided to run ten pairs of special passenger trains between Bihariganj and Saharsa, between Madehpura and Farbezganj, between Farbezganj and Pratapganj in Supoul, between Purnia and Farbezganj, between Saharsa and Purnia and between Saharsa and Patna from tommorrow so that the flood victims could be evacuated to safer places.

In addition, ECR sources quoting the GM said, a number of relief trains carrying dry food packets, drinking water, medicines, tarpulins and other essentials would travel to Bhudma, Murliganj, Narpatganj and Pratapganj in Madhepura, Araria and Supopul districts for their distribution among the flood victims.

Another special train carrying a number of medicos and para medics staff would also visit Farbezganj to distribute medicines and treat patients suffering from water-borne diseases.

Meanwhile, a large number of people had taken shelter on railway tracks passing through various flood affected districts and were spending nights in open without having any access to food or potable water.

Railway minister Lalu Prasad has donated Rs one crore from his relief fund for the flood affected people of Bihar, sources said.

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