HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 25: As part of its initiative to further boost the local economy, NF Railway regularly holds meetings and interactions with traders and business communities. The railway has established Business Development Units (BDUs) across all five divisions and at the zonal headquarters level to increase freight transportation volume. These BDUs frequently engage with trade and industry players to identify new traffic for rail movement. Railways, being a faster and more cost-effective mode of transport compared to roadways, aim to enhance the local economy by opening up larger markets nationwide.
On Wednesday, the divisional railway manager, along with senior officials of the Lumding division, conducted a meeting with traders in Lumding. Thirty-three traders participated, discussing issues such as truck shortages, labour availability, placement of goods-loaded railway rakes, conditions at the goods yard, and concerns regarding penal demurrage and wharfage charges for delayed clearance of goods wagons.
During the meeting, NF Railway officials outlined various activities and facilities available to improve the local economy through rail transport. They emphasised that railways are not only cost-effective but also an eco-friendly transportation mode. Discussions covered the handling of goods traffic, feasibility for transporting automobile traffic, and other commodities, as well as their benefits. Notably, due to the efforts of the Business Development Unit (BDU), 20 wagons of bamboo were recently transported from Dhemaji in Assam to Amlai in Madhya Pradesh for the first time by the Tinsukia division of NF Railway.
