Theni district welcomes direct supply of rice, goods from other States after 12-year hiatus

Theni district in Tamil Nadu received 1,326 metric tonnes of rice from Warangal, Telangana, via special rail-wagons, ending the 12-year detour through Dindigul district. The broad gauge section completion enabled easier transport of essential goods from other States. 120 workers unloaded and loaded the consignment, saving the State govt. exorbitant transportation costs. Collector R.V. Shajeevana flagged off the transit of the rice bags.

For the first time in 12 years, rice procured from other States were on Saturday night directly hauled into the district by special rail-wagons, putting an end to the detour taken through Dindigul district to transport essential goods, including rice, from other States.

This was made possible with the recent completion of the broad gauge section in Theni district, said officials of the Railways and Civil Supplies Corporation. On Saturday night, the district received 1,326 metric tonnes of rice from Warangal through special rail-wagons. A total of 26,346 bags of rice reached the district directly from Warangal district in Telangana.

On Sunday, the rice bags were loaded onto trucks headed towards the Civil Supplies go-downs in Andipatti, Periakulam, Uthamapalayam, Bodinayakkanur and Theni, with Theni District Collector R.V. Shajeevana flagging off the transit of the rice bags.

Every year, Theni district receives 8,000 metric tonnes of rice from other States for distribution through ration shops as per the Central and State government schemes, officials said, adding that over 120 workers were engaged in the unloading and loading of the consignment.

Earlier, the State government had to spend exorbitantly for the transportation of essential goods from other States through Dindigul. The completion of the BG section has made the manoeuvring of goods easier.

District Revenue Officer R. Jayabharathi, Civil Supplies Corporation GM (Transport) Harikumar, Deputy Commercial Manager (Railway) Manivannan and Regional Manager (TNCSC) V Senthilkumar attended the event.