NEW DELHI, May 11 (NNN-PTI) – Indian Railways will start operating a few trains with effect from tomorrow (Tuesday), announced the Ministry of Railways on Sunday.
Booking for train tickets will begin online from Monday (this) evening, added the announcement.
This assumes significance as the country is witnessing lock-down till May 17, to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far taken more than 2,100 human lives with total cases nearing 63,000.
All transport, including road, rail and air, has been suspended in the country since Mar 25, the first day of lock-down.
“Railways plans to gradually restart passenger train operations from May 12, initially with 15 pairs of special trains, connecting New Delhi with major stations across India. Booking in these trains will start at 4:00 p.m. on May 11,” tweeted the country’s Railways Minister, Piyush Goyal, on Sunday.
These trains will be run as special trains from New Delhi Station connecting major cities across the length and breadth of the country, said an official statement issued by the Ministry of Railways.
Thereafter, Indian Railways shall start more special services on new routes, based on the available coaches, after reserving 20,000 coaches for COVID-19 care centres and adequate number of coaches being reserved to enable operation of up to 300 trains everyday for stranded migrant workers.
Social distancing norms would be followed during train journeys. It will be mandatory for passengers to wear face cover and undergo screening at departure, added the statement.
