Special train carrying 2.4 lakh litres of milk leaves Renigunta for Delhi

Tirupati: A special train carrying around 2.4 lakh litres of milk left Renigunta station, near Tirupati in Chittoor district, for New Delhi on 26 March. The train will run at an average speed of 110kmph to reach Hazarat Nizamuddin at the earliest. The Railways has been helping transport essential goods to cater to the needs of the public during the 21-day lockdown.

Sources said the milk was collected from over one lakh farmers from various parts of Andhra Pradesh. Since Delhi has been depending on milk from other states, the SCR had requested permission from the Railways to send milk tankers to New Delhi.

General manager of South Central Railway (SCR), Gajanan Mallya, appreciated the efforts of the Guntakal railway division and advised them to ensure that the Railways helps supply essential commodities to the public.

Since all passenger trains have been cancelled amid the lockdown, the Railways decided to run a special milk tanker train from Renigunta. Generally, around 80 milk containers with a capacity of 40,000 litres or 44,660 litres carry milk by different weekly and daily express trains from Renigunta to New Delhi every month. However, this service had been halted due to the cancellation of passenger trains.

The SCR swung into action, coordinated with local consigners to collect milk and arranged six milk tankers. The officials said they will run more such special trains from Renigunta in the coming days.