Railway With New Protocol: No AC Coaches, Mandatory Masks And Early Arrival, Rail Travel To Be Implemented After Lockdown Ends, Says A Report

Mumbai: If you are preparing for a train journey after lifting of the lockdown then you must arm yourself with the revised rules and regulations governing train travel which have been prepared by the ministry of railways, says a report.

While it is still not clear if train services for passengers will resume immediately after April 15 or be delayed if the lockdown is extended, but familiarizing oneself with the revised regulations may come in handy in preparation.

One of the new norms will require passengers to reach the railway station at least four hours in advance of the scheduled departure time of their train. The four-hour lead time has been set keeping in mind additional protocols that are likely to come into effect after the resumption of services, like thermal screening of each and every passenger to detect symptoms of coronavirus. In another major change, only passengers with reserved tickets will be allowed to enter the platforms. Platform tickets will not be sold during this period to prevent crowding on stations, the report states.

Here is a list of the major changes that are likely to govern rail travel post lockdown according to the website.

1. Only non-Air conditioned coaches will be available for travel in order to prevent the spread of the disease, which is believed to have greater potential for transmission in air-conditioned environment.

2. Passengers will be required to update and inform the railways of their health status 12 hours before travel.

3. If a traveller is found with symptoms of Covid-19, he will be forced to abandon his journey and immediately alight from the train.

4. A hundred per cent refund will be given to the passenger.

5. Every passenger will be given a face mask and a hand glove to use during the journey against a small fee. The use of mask and gloves will be mandatory during travel.

6. Vendors won’t be allowed to enter the coaches from outside.

7. Senior citizens will be dissuaded from travelling on trains.

8. Passengers will have to pass through a specially made tunnel for disinfection.

9. Social distancing norms will have to be observed during the journey.

10. All four doors in a train coach will be kept locked to prevent any unauthorised entry into the compartment during the course of the journey.

11.Most trains will operate non-stop between the originating and the destination stations, only a couple of additional stops in between may be allowed in some cases.

12.The side berth in sleeper coaches will be kept vacant to ensure social distancing and only two passengers will be allowed in a cabin comprising of six berths.

13. A railway official said that the new protocol had been prepared on the basis of suggestions received from the group of ministers constituted to handle coronavirus related issues and it can be implemented quickly if needed with some minor adjustments. As many as 307 train services can be resumed in North India. Waiting list tickets will be cancelled for several trains that are witnessing a huge rush through advance bookings.