Indian Railways has announced that no freight charges will be levied on relief material sent to flood-affected states of Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal informed in a tweet. He added, "We urge you to help us in this effort and send as much relief material as possible, which we will transport for free."

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In a notice, the railway board said, "Indian Railway has decided to permit inter-state and intra-state free transport for aid and relief material by Goods trains/Parcel Van including in less than standard Composition rakes, to Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra States in wake of recent Flood. It may be noted that no freight is to be charged for transportation of relief material to Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra States i.ei to all stations as of now."

As per the Railways' notice, all government organisations across the country can book relief material for free of cost to Karnataka. Kerala and Maharashtra States Other organizations, as deemed fit by Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs), may also avail of this provision. However, it may be ensured that consignor/consignee is District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner in whose jurisdiction the dispatching/receiving station is situated.

"All concerned may be advised that at the time of preparing Forwarding Note in TMS application, the Rate Type column shall be chosen as F-FREE TRAFFIC with a remark in as relief material for Karnataka. Kerala and Maharashtra States. All such movement must be done with DRM s approval. In addition, all Zonal Railways must ensure detailed account of movement of relief material, along with manually calculated freight charges for future use, if any," the notice said. 
 
The Railways further said that since the transportation of relief material shall be undertaken free of charge, therefore no ancillary charges like demurrage/wharfage or others charges are to be levied on the same.

These guidelines will remain effective till 31-08-2019 or till further.