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NEW DELHI: More than 1.45 lakh passengers will board 200 special express and mail trains from Monday when the railways restarts its operations. The state-run transporter said it was monitoring booking of tickets and would soon take a decision on resuming operations of Duronto, Shatabdi and Garib Rath trains.
Sources said Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh have expressed reservations about running trains or number of stoppages of these trains. In a late night response, railway ministry said, “All trains are running as planned.”
The railway ministry on Sunday said around 26 lakh passengers have booked advance tickets on these special trains till June 30. These trains are in addition to the Shramik Specials and Rajdhanis which are being currently operated. The demand for Shramik Specials has been steadily declining.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, railway board chairman V K Yadav had said, “We are monitoring the booking of tickets in these 200 special trains. We are heading towards normalcy. In the second phase, we will decide about running more trains after assessing the requirement. We will run more trains whether Duronto, Shatabdi or Garib Rath wherever there is requirement.”
The operation of 200 trains is being seen as a step towards a graded restoration of passenger train services. These trains are on the pattern of regular services and are fully reserved having both AC and non-AC classes. The general coaches have reserved sitting accommodation to ensure there is no crowding. Social distancing norms for boarding and screening will apply.
Till Sunday morning, the total bookings of passengers was close to 25.83 lakh, the railway ministry said. The Indian Railways has also allowed booking of parcel and luggage in these trains and also in the other 30 trains being operated between Delhi and 15 major cities.
The ministry said no unreserved tickets will be issued and no tickets will be issued on board to any passenger during the journey. While passengers with RAC tickets are allowed to board trains, waitlisted passengers won’t be allowed in these trains.
According to the ministry, all passengers will be screened and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the train and passengers need to reach the station 90 minutes in advance.
On arrival at their destination, the passengers will have to adhere to such health protocols as are prescribed by the destination state.
Catering norms will be similar to the 30 Rajdhani-type trains. There will be no catering charges and provision for pre-paid meal booking and e-catering has been disabled. IRCTC will make provision for limited eatables and packaged drinking water on payment basis only in limited trains which have pantry car attached.
Similarly, no linen, blankets and curtains will be provided inside the train. Passengers have been advised to carry their own linen for the travel.
The ministry said all passengers need to download and use the Aarogya Setu app and they have been advised to travel light.