NMDC ore shipments may be hit

Transport of iron-ore from the mines operated by ore producer and exporter National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) was likely to be partially affected for a week as Naxalites would be observing a week-long annual event near its mines.

Naxalites usually observed a week-long foundation week for the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) from December 2 to December 9. State authorities had made necessary precautionary arrangements in the areas under the influence of Naxalites in the Bastar region. Railways had decided not to operate trains between Kirandul and Visakhapatnam during the night hours till December 9, but trains would however ply during day time, sources said. In the Kirandul-Visakhapatnam rail section, only one passenger train would run.

The route carried the maximum goods traffic, with trains carrying iron ore from NMDC Dantewada mines to Visakhapatnam port from where the ore was shipped to by ship to other countries. NMDC despatched more than a dozen rakes every day.