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Truckers suffer due to restrictions after Kolkata bridge collapse

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Kolkata, Sep 8 (IANS) West Bengal truckers have been facing hardships due to the restrictions imposed on the movement of heavy vehicles following the partial collapse of Majherhat bridge in the city and are staring at huge losses, an official said on Saturday.

The state government said 20-wheel truck trailers would not be allowed to ply in the cities and police had been directed to ensure this.

“A huge number of trucks loaded with various goods including perishables are stranded on the national and state highways and they are not allowed to enter Kolkata.

“The government put restrictions on movement of 20-wheeler trailers, but many four-wheeler medium commercial vehicles have also been stopped by the police without assigning any reasons,” Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators’ Association Joint Secretary Sajal Ghosh told IANS.

Truckers demanded alternative arrangements from the state government and the city police, since “stopping the movement of heavy vehicles can’t be a solution” as it leads “not only to business loss but also job loss”, Ghosh said.

According to him, there are about 40,000 trailers having 18-22 wheels or so, out of 3.5 lakh trucks in the state.

A total of 20 bridges across cities and suburbs in West Bengal have been found to have outlived their life.

Stuck in Bankura district, a truck driver said: “We had loaded onions in Andhra Pradesh and were stuck here since morning. No-entry was imposed. If the goods are not unloaded in time, we get penalised. It is a cause of worry.”

Driver of a Shillong-bound lorry carrying eggs apprehended that the consignment could get damaged leading to a huge loss.

Traffic has been diverted in the city and goods vehicles are allowed to ply during nights only since the collapse of Majerhat bridge portion on Tuesday afternoon, which killed three persons and injured 19 others.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, at state secretariat Nabanna said on Saturday that the movement of light and medium vehicles would not be allowed on four flyovers in the city until they get repaired.

With restrictions on very heavy vehicles, the business in port area was “affected immensely” as the heavy duty vehicles used to carry imported machines and containers from the Netaji Subhas and Khidderpore docks of the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT), Ghosh said.

The Kolkata Port Trust has been feeling the pinch due to stringent restrictions on the heavy vehicles’ movement and traffic diversion, and the collapsed railway overbridge was one of routes linking the docks.

“We had a joint meeting with all the stakeholders today (Saturday) to sort out the problems. The port authority is in constant touch with the city traffic police and the state government to tide over the difficulties. Movement of traffic, both inbound and outbound of docks, was affected to some extent,” KoPT Chairman Vinit Kumar said.

He said all “possible alternative arrangements are being made” to ease out the traffic movement.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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