The 21-day lockdown in India due to the coronavirus pandemic has brought the nation to a standstill, largely affecting the livelihood of the poor, homeless and migrant labourers. Steeping up to the occasion, in a much-needed move, the Indian Railways is providing free meals to the homeless and the needy.
Free Meals Supplied By IRCTC To Needy Amidst The Lockdown
The catering arm of the railways, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Development Corporation (IRCTC), is supplying free meals to the underprivileged through its base kitchens located in various zones in the country.
According to railway officials, 13 of the 24 base kitchens of the IRCTC have been demarcated as nodal points for the distribution of food to the needy. IRCTC is taking up bulk production of food in these locations. The food is also being served to the people in paper plates, keeping the environmental concerns in mind. As per data from IRCTC, as of March 29, over 11,030 lunch meals were served to the underprivileged and migrant labourers, among others across the country.
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All Norms Of Social Distancing Are Being Followed During Food Distribution
The distribution of the lunch meals at railway stations is being done by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials. The IRCTC is also receiving assistance from NGOs and other volunteers for this purpose.
In Northern Railway’s Delhi Division, RPF personnel distributed free meals to the poor and needy at New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi Safdarjung, Mandawali, Ghaziabad and Shakurbasti railway stations. In the North Central Railway zone, free lunch meals were prepared and distributed at the Prayagraj, Kanpur, Gwalior, Jhansi, Agra and Mathura stations. At Rajendra Nagar base kitchen in Patna, khichdi and chokha were prepared and distributed by the RPF to the poor people at the Patna and Danapur stations. In Western Railway too, dal khichdi and pickle meals were distributed through the Mumbai Central base kitchen.
According to officials, social distancing norms are being followed during food distribution. The poor people are also being encouraged to follow the same. IRCTC is now gearing up to feed a larger proportion of needy people across the country by procuring adequate stocks of raw materials as well as food grains.
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