More trains at original fare within a month if COVID eases further: SCR GM
The Hindu
More passenger trains including suburban train services like the MMTS on original railway fares are likely to happen within a month or so, if there is no spike in COVID-19 cases or a third wave, infor
More passenger trains including suburban train services like the MMTS on original railway fares are likely to happen within a month or so, if there is no spike in COVID-19 cases or a third wave, informed South Central Railway (SCR) General Manager Gajanan Mallya on Wednesday.
“It has been through a harrowing 20 months of COVID but we never stopped working even in the peak first and second wave with our frontline staff putting their lives at risk. Therefore, we had to run special trains affixing ‘zero’ to the original express and other trains because of limited halts and varied number of cases and protocols at different places. Now, with situation easing, we are running upto 85% of scheduled trains and more will be operated as it improves further,” he said.
Addressing a virtual press conference from Rail Nilayam, the GM said railway personnel have been given powers to fine passengers not adhering to COVID protocols like face masks, while temperature checks are being done for everyone getting in. Ban on selling of cooked stuff is continuing and despite AC passengers demand, the bed linen is still not being supplied because of the fear of spread of virus. As and when the situation eases further with increased vaccination and herd immunity, it may be considered, he said.