Gandhinagar: Gujarat has extended significant assistance to flood-affected Punjab and Chhattisgarh by dispatching a special relief train carrying over 400 tonnes of food, medicines, and essential supplies, along with financial aid of ₹10 crore.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off the special train from Gandhinagar railway station, underlining Gujarat’s commitment to supporting states in times of natural calamities.

The train consisted of 22 wagons loaded with flour, rice, onions, potatoes, edible oil, sugar, milk powder, and other essential food items. Additionally, the consignment included 70 tonnes of medicines, 10,000 tarpaulins, 10,000 mosquito nets, and 10,000 bedsheets to cater to the immediate needs of flood survivors in Punjab.

For Chhattisgarh, nearly 8,000 relief kits containing daily-use essentials were included in the consignment. Gujarat has also released ₹5 crore each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for Punjab and Chhattisgarh to support ongoing relief operations.

The consignment was coordinated by the Relief Commissioner’s office with contributions from the state’s Food and Civil Supplies, Agriculture, and Health departments. Health and Family Welfare Minister Rushikesh Patel said the relief efforts highlight Gujarat’s humanitarian spirit, with “every necessity carefully considered in the relief package.”

The flag-off ceremony was attended by State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya, Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Gandhinagar Mayor Meenaben Patel, MLA Rita Patel, and senior state and railway officials. CM Patel is also expected to review ongoing relief operations in Banaskantha district in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹1,600 crore in financial aid for Punjab in addition to the ₹12,000 crore already allocated.

The Centre will also advance the second instalment of the State Disaster Relief Fund and disburse PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi payments. The Prime Minister emphasised a multi-pronged recovery plan, including rebuilding homes under PM Awas Yojana, restoring national highways, reconstructing schools, providing support through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), and distributing livestock mini-kits.