When and how train services should be resumed, and what precautions should be taken in this scenario, PHODs/DRMs give their views

Railway Board had a video conference on Wednesday, 8th April with all Zonal GMs, PHODs and DRMs to discuss what should do after 14th April. Some of the points and suggestions discussed were as under.

Railway Board indicated that the Govt is thinking of dividing the country into three Zones – red, yellow and green – depending on the number of cases.

In the red zone no transport services will be introduced, yellow will have restricted services and green will have no restriction in the number of services.

In the running trains and at all the stations social distancing has to be maintained.

No allotment of middle berth in Sleeper class and AC 3Tire

No linen or food on trains till cases start reducing.

All scheduled timetabled trains to be cancelled and only special trains to be run.

Thermal screening at all entry points at all railway stations.

Passengers above 60 not to be allowed to travel.

Wearing of masks is compulsory for each and every passenger. If anyone found not wearing masks to be imposed exemplary fines and detrained.

No unreserved travel to be allowed. This is necessary as in case a positive case is detected a other passengers who traveled by the coach will have to be traced and quarantined.

Railway Board had indicated that most metro cities except maybe Kolkotta will fall in the red zones as per present trends.

It will therefore not possible to start or terminate any train from and to Mumbai, Delhi, Secunderabad, Chennai, Banglore.

In the circumstances it will be better not to introduce any coaching services till the situation improves and definitely not before 30th April.

Railway Board had also pointed out that Zonal Railways should also take into account the fact that many positive cases are asymptomatic, who do not display any symptoms and therefore cannot be screened.

It was suggested that trains if they run should not stop at hotspots for which the ACP should be disconnected.

Railway Board instructed to all GMs to plan the type of special trains which could be run with the originating and terminating stations and the timetable with stops. The plan to be sent to PED coaching.

It was also instructed that GMs and DRMs should also get in touch with the state government and get their requirements for train running.

It was suggested by some Railways that they should run services which are confined within the state boundaries.

All PHODs and DRMs may also ponder over the subject and give their views about when and how train services should be resumed and what precautions should be taken in view of the COVID19 pandemic.