Fresh norms for rail travel, only asymptomatic travellers allowed

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 11

With the government deciding to run 15 passenger trains from tomorrow besides the Shramik Specials that are already operating, the Ministry of Home Affairs today issued standard operating procedures (SOPs), making it clear that only asymptomatic and confirmed ticket holders would be allowed to travel.

8 trains to run today

• Eight of the 15 scheduled trains will ply on May 12
• All trains will be air-conditioned, connecting New Delhi to major cities such as Dibrugarh, Agartala, Howrah, Patna, Bilaspur, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Secunderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Madgaon, Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad and Jammu Tawi.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said all passengers would have to wear face masks and observe social distancing norms at the station and during the entire duration of travel.

“Only passengers with confirmed e-tickets shall be allowed to enter the station. The movement of the passengers as well as the driver of the vehicle transporting the passengers shall be allowed on the basis of the confirmed e-ticket,” Bhalla said in the order.

The Ministry of Railways will ensure that passengers are screened and only those who are “asymptomatic will be allowed to enter or board a train”. It also said passengers “shall be provided hand sanitiser at stations and in coaches”.

On arrival at their destination, the passengers will have to adhere to the health protocols prescribed by the destination state or union territory. For the first time since March 25, when the lockdown began, 15 trains for different destinations will leave New Delhi on Tuesday for which bookings began today afternoon.

Carry own food, water & linen, say New railway guidelines

• Face mask, Aarogya Setu app mandatory
• Advised to carry own food, drinking water
• Linen, blankets won’t be provided, carry them
• Special norms for air-conditioning, maximum fresh air will be ensured in coaches
• No current booking, ‘tatkal’, ‘premium tatkal’
• Fares to be equivalent to that of Rajdhanis
• Advance booking max up to 7 days
• Online cancellation allowed up to 24 hrs before departure; charge 50% of fare