Aurangabad, May 30:
Hundreds of urea fertiliser bags unloaded at the Railway State on Saturday got wet in rainwater. The sacks were loaded in a track for distribution to farmers after many hours. It has raised a question about the quality of wet urea bags.
Hundreds of tonnes of urea are being brought here by goods train for sowing operation in the district. The sacks should be loaded in a truck immediately for distribution.
A shed was established at the railway station considering the loss of goods in the rainy season. But, it is proving insufficient. There is a need to do an expansion of the shed. No attention is being paid towards the problem and goods are being unloaded on an open space.
Hundreds of urea sacks were unloaded from a goods train at the Station. It started raining yesterday evening. Efforts were made so that sacks should not get wet yet,
many sacks got drenched.
Wate affects the quality of the fertiliser. It dissolves in water affecting its quality and quantity.
Railway officials claimed fertiliser sacks were covered with tarpaulin. A similar incident of cement bags getting wet was reported on May 18.
Expert in horticulture Dr Bhagwan Kapse said that if fertiliser got drenched in water, its quality is affected. “If it got completed wet, it dissolves in water while remaining fertiliser turns into a solid form. Farmers will have to make its powder before using it. Will farmers purchase such type of sacks is a question? he added.