Despite having effected changes in the timetable of trains which will be effective from November 1, the Railways has not been able to publicise it to inform the public as the Election Commission has barred it from doing so in view of the model code of conduct in place due to the upcoming Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections. The EC has also barred the Railway Ministry from introducing new trains for poll-bound States.
A letter received by the Railway Ministry from the EC last week states that while the railways can go ahead with publishing the new timetables — ‘Trains at a Glance’, and making it operational as planned on November 1, “no publicity shall be made in this regard”.
Sources said adding each zonal railway is ready with its own timetable, but is wary of publicising them because of the EC letter. As many as 700 trains could see alterations in the new schedules because of changes in departure/arrival timings, enhanced speed and various other adjustments made by the transport behemoth in an effort to cut down travel time of long-distance trains.
Many express trains have been made superfast as a result of which train numbers have been changed, which could create confusion among passengers. The railways also has a slew of new trains that would benefit several states, officials said.
According to the EC letter, no new trains in these two states can be introduced or formally inaugurated till the model code of conduct is in place. Himachal Pradesh goes to polls on November 9, while the Assembly polls in Gujarat will be held in two phases on November 14 and November 20.