The Indian Railways on Friday decided to stop the operation all passenger trains originating from any railway station in the country from midnight to 10 pm on Sunday in view of the “Janata curfew” announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to a railway order, mail and express trains will also stop services from 4 am to 10 pm on Sunday while all suburban train services will be reduced to a bare minimum.
“All passenger trains originating between midnight of March 21/March 22 to 22:00 hours of March 22 (approximately 2,400 services) shall not be run. However, the passenger train services already on run at 0700 hours on the day will be allowed to run to the destinations. Divisions should keep a watch and trains which are empty could be short terminated, if required,” the railway order said.
It also said the decision has been taken in view of the coronavirus outbreak and the fact that the demand will be less due to ‘Janta Curfew’.
Suburban services in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Secunderabad shall be reduced to bare minimum level only to cater to essential travel.
The order stated that passengers alighting from trains already on the run, and desirous of staying at the station will be accommodated in waiting halls, waiting rooms and concourse without creating overcrowding conditions while provisions for drinking water, refreshments on payment shall be arranged.
“Adequate arrangements may be made to facilitate hassle-free refund to passengers affected by train cancellations. Zonal railways will keep a close watch on the situation at major stations and where needed order special trains to clear rush of passengers who may be stranded at stations despite advance public notice,” it stated.
As of now, the Indian Railways has cancelled 245 trains in order to restrict unnecessary travel following the coronavirus outbreak.