Coronavirus Lockdown 3.0: Special Rajdhani trains receive massive response from passengers

Special Rajdhani trains started by Indian Railways has received a massive response from passengers as already more than 2 lakh people have booked tickets.

"By Wednesday evening total 112157 tickets issued to 208965 passengers," says railway spokesperson.

So far 32, 492 passengers have travelled in these trains since its operation on May 12.

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As part of the graded operation of passenger train service, the Indian Railway has started operations of 15 Special Rajdhani trains connecting major cities with New Delhi. The railways announced these trains schedule till May 20.

Begin with the railway operated 8 trains on Tuesday and remaining trains runs either daily or thrice a week. The special AC trains mainly started to help stranded people due to lockdown to reach their home or working place.

General category tickets have to booked through IRCTC website. Only a few category pass holders allowed book through ticket counters.

Only a few reservation counters will operate along the train routes for parliamentarians, freedom fighters and others, the railway official said.

When booking started on Monday evening within half an hour most of the tickets for the train operated on Tuesday and Wednesday sold out despite the fare is dynamic, said an official.

The railway also barred agents booking through web portal so that only genuine passengers get the tickets.

The railways also said if required, it will ready to operate more such trains in coming days. The railways also said operation of mail and express trains continue to suspend till further notice.

Coronavirus India update: State-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths on May 13

The railways operated 642 Shramik special trains since May 1 and ferried 7.90 lakh stranded people including migrant workers, students and tourists.

The railway halted the operation of passengers train on March 23 as the government announced nationwide lockdown to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.