Almost two months after passenger services were suspended because of Covid-19 lockdown, the Indian Railways is gradually resuming its services from May 12 but under strict procedure.
The Home Ministry on May 11 issued the Standard Operating Procedure for the people to follow. The Government said that only asymptomatic and those having confirmed tickets can travel. Bookings for the trains started on May 11 evening. The fares of these trains would be that of Rajadhani trains. The passengers have to reach the Railway Station an hour before the departure of the trains.
Fifteen trains have been scheduled from New Delhi to Dilbugarh, Howrah, Agartala, Bilaspur, Patna, Bhubaneshwar, Bangaluru, Secunderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Mumbai, Jammu Tawi, Ahmedabad and Madgaon.
The Standard Operating procedure is as follows:
- Passengers have to reach 90 minutes in advance in railway Stations to board the trains.
- All passengers will be screened at the Stations. Only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to board the train.
- All passengers have to observe social distancing while boarding and travelling
- All passengers have to wear face masks during travel.
- The movement of passenger as well as the driver of the vehicle transporting the passenger to and fro the railway station, shall be allowed on the basis of confirmed e-ticket.
- All passengers shall be provided hand sanitiser at stations and in coaches.
- On arrival at their destination, the travelling passengers will have to adhere to such health protocols as are prescribed by the destination state or union territory.
