Railways to carry flood relief materials free of charge

New Delhi, Aug 28 (UNI) In an effort to serve the flood affected people in Bihar, the Ministry of Railways has directed all the Zonal Railways to transport relief materials and fodder by rail free of charge.

The transportation of relief materials to be distributed among the flood victims in Bihar, as a special case, from any station to the notified flood affected districts of Bihar, would be free of cost.

The relief materials will be transported on the condition that the consignment is booked by a District Magistrateand consigned to the District Magistrate of a notified flood affected districts of Bihar subject to the condition that the relief material/fodder so transported will be distributed under the supervision of the authorities of the State Government.

The Zonal Railways will move this consignment on priority basis subject to the operational feasibility with immediate effect till 31st October 2008. The consignment will be booked solely at owner's risk and no claim for any loss or damage to the consignment carried under this special arrangement will be entertained.

The Railways has also directed the East-Central Railways in Hajipur to run special relief trains to the notifiied flood affected areas after assessing the situation to save the lives of stranded public. These trains will be run free of cost considering the flood situation in northern Bihar, a Railways release said.

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