Distribution of free hot cooked fresh meals by South Central Railway during the current nation wide lockdown due to COVID-19 crossed the two lakh mark today i.e. 24th April 2020. In a short period of 25 days, more than 2.08 lakh needy people have been served with food. This goes in tune with the priority accorded by Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, SCR to fulfill this paramount need to “ feed the hunger” during these critical times.
The global pandemic has created a unprecedented situation leaving a large number of people vulnerable to hunger. Those worst hit by this pandemic and lockdown are stranded persons, daily wage earners, migrant labour, coolies, homeless, the poor and many other sections of floating population.
Taking the seriousness of the issue as an immediate task to attain, South Central Railway took the IRCTC into confidence besides activating it’s own infrastructure and manpower resources. Base kitchens have been converted into a round the clock service kitchen utility for staff to plan, procure material and cook meals continously. Until now, around 2.08 lakh free meals have been distributed at various locations all over the Zone. Primarily, relief in terms of free food supply is targetted to reach to segments of migrant labour and daily wage earners who are being clearly identified and catered, so as to fulfill the basic objective of reaching to the most affected. Keeping the requirements of those attached to the railway organizations, free food distribution also covers the licensed railway porters, safaikarmacharies etc.
Further, the entire distribution mechanism has been finely chalked out with regard to setting up of community food preparation points, packing of food, logistics, identification of needy sections, and on time supply to ensure every person gets to have the meals on dot. Besides the IRCTC , Railways has been providing bulk cooked food by utilising the RPF resources and support, other Railway departments and help coming in from several NGOs. While delivering the food to the needy, social distancing and hygiene is being perfectly observed, so as to also make the people aware of these two important factors in the fight against the spread of the dreaded virus. Distribution of food is being done with the help of RPF, GRP, commercial departments of Divisional Railways, State Governments, District administrations and NGOs, even beyond the station vicinity to cover areas which serve as temporary shelters to the migrant workers, daily wage earners and others. . Out of the 2.08 lakh free meals supplied till date, about 1.48 has been cooked and provided by IRCTC, about 60,000 meals by various departments and NGOs working with the Railway organizations.The Railway Protection Force has played a major role in the task including in the aspect of food distribution.
The General Manager, SCR has advised all the departments to reach out to as many people as possible, Accordingly, the departments have teamed up to ensure that the program to alleviate hunger continues as long as the need remains, thereby enabling thousands of people to have fresh and hygienic food every day.