New Delhi: Plagued with the problem of illegal transportation of ores, Railways have effected changes in its transportation mechanism making it mandatory for the consignors to have a written order and transit pass from the authorities for transporting ores in rakes.
"We have tried to put a mechanism in place to prevent illegal transportation of ores in rail wagons across the country," said a senior Railway Ministry official.
According to the latest notification, railways now would accept orders for rakes from consignors through forwarding note duly authorised by the mining department.
"Only one rake would be made available on the basis of a forwarding note. Loading would be allowed if and only the consignor submits to railways the requisite transit pass," said the official.
Orissa had stopped the transportation of iron ores for nearly six months this year over the issue of illegal transportation of ores. As a result many wagons were blocked in the state causing shortage of rakes for railways.
"The stoppage of the movement of rakes in Orissa for months caused problems to us and we do not want a repeat," the official said.
The allotment of the rake would be made available on the basis of the forwarding note and transit pass issued by the mining department of the state government.
Besides the state governments have been told to make adequate arrangements to ensure transit passes are issued rake-wise (one rake per pass) along with details of truck numbers to prevent illegal transportation.
The new procedure for loading of ores will be applicable uniformly for the entire country including Chhattisgarh and
Orissa.
PTI
