JOIN USCoronavirus: No passenger train to begin journey from midnight to 10 pm on March 22 over Janta curfew
Railways on Friday decided not to run any passenger trains on Sunday in view of “Janata curfew” announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The railways will stop all express/mail trains from 4 am on Sunday to till 10 pm. All suburban train services in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkotta and Secunderabad will be reduced to a bare minimum as well, a top railway official said here.
Passengers train will stop from Saturday midnight to Sunday 10 pm. However, trains already on run will be allowed to reach their destinations.
Some 1300 long-distance trains scheduled for Sunday have been cancelled. Another 2400 passenger trains also stand cancelled, said the official.
Passengers alighting at Enroute stations from trains and wanted to stay at stations will be allowed to stay in station premises and waiting rooms without creating overcrowding conditions, said the official.
As of now, the Indian Railways has cancelled 245 trains in order to restrict unnecessary travel due to the coronavirus outbreak.
No food in train
The IRCTC, which manages catering in the railway network, has decided to close onboard catering services in mail/express trains from March 22 to till further order.
Items like branded aerated drinks, chips, tea and coffee may be allowed to be sold in trains if there is a demand of onboard services, said the IRCTC in its circular issued.
The IRCTC also said that it will close all food plazas, refreshment rooms, Jan Aahars and cell kitchens. However static units supplying meals to the prepaid trains, which are in operation will continue to operate.
The IRCTC also instructed the food catering licence holders to take care of their employees and pay their salary during the closer period.