By IANS,
New Delhi: Indian Railways Wednesday said it will allot wagons “on priority” to ensure smooth transportation of onions across the country.
“The Indian Railways is fully geared up to extend all necessary help in the transportation of onions from any location to any other part of the country as and when required to ensure sufficient availability of onions across the country,” the railways ministry said in a statement here.
“The Railway Board gave directions to make sufficient wagons and rakes available on priority basis for this purpose,” it added.
In a meeting Wednesday of the Railway Board traffic directorate, Railway Board chairman Vivek Sahai also directed the zonal railways to take necessary steps in this regard.
The railway board has also set up a special cell to monitor the movement of onions.
Prices of the bulb had spiralled to Rs.70-Rs.100 per kg in retail markets across India after heavy rains damaged crops in Maharashtra, the main producer.
The Prime Minister’s Office too intervened Tuesday asking immediate intervention by the consumer affairs department to monitor the situation and take immediate steps.