<p>As trains chug out from Tuesday with Railways re-starting regular operations after a gap of 48 days, passengers will have to reach stations at least 90 minutes before the scheduled departure and carry their own food and blankets.</p>.<p>Fifteen pair trains -- all air-conditioned-- will leave or arrive in the national capital from various states to help stranded people reach their destination, while regular passenger services, including all mail/express, passenger and suburban services, will remain non-functional till further notice.</p>.<p>This is in addition to the Shramik Special Trains that started operating from May 1 to transport stranded migrant workers.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-live-updates-total-cases-deaths-covid-19-tracker-worldometer-update-lockdown-30-latest-news-835374.html" target="_blank"><strong>Follow live updates on coronavirus here</strong></a></p>.<p>The Ministry of Home Affairs and Railways issued separate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to facilitate the re-start of the operations, which was in suspension since March 25.</p>.<p>The MHA has left it to the states to decide on how to deal with arriving passengers and directed it to develop its own health protocols in its SOPs. Asked whether passengers will be asked to go on quarantine, MHA Joint Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said the states and union territories where the trains are arriving will prepare health protocols as per the situation there.</p>.<p>The Railways’ SOPs said these trains will have only First, Second and Third AC compartments and the fare structure would be that of Rajdhani trains. Catering charges will not be collected as no food will be served to passengers.</p>.<p>Passengers are advised to bring their own food, said Railways spokesperson Rajesh Datt Bajpai. "Provision for pre-paid meal booking, e-catering shall be disabled. However, IRCTC shall make provision for limited eatables and packaged drinking water on payment basis," he said.</p>.<p>One can book tickets only through IRCTC website or through Mobile App. Railways has not allowed bookings by agents or at railway stations counters. Maximum Advance Reservation Period (ARP) will be of maximum 7 days.</p>.<p>According to the MHA SOPs, the Ministry of Railways will permit movement of trains in a "graded manner". Only passengers with confirmed e-tickets will be allowed to enter the railway stations while the movement of passengers as well as their drivers transporting passengers to and fro the railway station will be allowed on the basis of e-ticket.</p>.<p>All passengers will be provided with a hand sanitiser at both the entry and exit points at station and in coaches. Passengers will have to wear face masks or face covers throughout the journey and will have to observe social distancing, the SOP said.</p>.<p>* E-ticket cancellation permitted up to 24 hours before scheduled departure</p>.<p>* Cancellation charge shall be 50% of fare</p>.<p>* Separate entry and exit gates at railway stations</p>.<p>* Passengers advised to download the Aarogya Setu application but not mandatory.</p>.<p>* No linen, blankets and curtains shall be provided inside the train</p>.<p>* All stalls and shops on railway platform remain closed.</p>.<p>* Passengers are advised to travel light</p>
<p>As trains chug out from Tuesday with Railways re-starting regular operations after a gap of 48 days, passengers will have to reach stations at least 90 minutes before the scheduled departure and carry their own food and blankets.</p>.<p>Fifteen pair trains -- all air-conditioned-- will leave or arrive in the national capital from various states to help stranded people reach their destination, while regular passenger services, including all mail/express, passenger and suburban services, will remain non-functional till further notice.</p>.<p>This is in addition to the Shramik Special Trains that started operating from May 1 to transport stranded migrant workers.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-live-updates-total-cases-deaths-covid-19-tracker-worldometer-update-lockdown-30-latest-news-835374.html" target="_blank"><strong>Follow live updates on coronavirus here</strong></a></p>.<p>The Ministry of Home Affairs and Railways issued separate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to facilitate the re-start of the operations, which was in suspension since March 25.</p>.<p>The MHA has left it to the states to decide on how to deal with arriving passengers and directed it to develop its own health protocols in its SOPs. Asked whether passengers will be asked to go on quarantine, MHA Joint Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said the states and union territories where the trains are arriving will prepare health protocols as per the situation there.</p>.<p>The Railways’ SOPs said these trains will have only First, Second and Third AC compartments and the fare structure would be that of Rajdhani trains. Catering charges will not be collected as no food will be served to passengers.</p>.<p>Passengers are advised to bring their own food, said Railways spokesperson Rajesh Datt Bajpai. "Provision for pre-paid meal booking, e-catering shall be disabled. However, IRCTC shall make provision for limited eatables and packaged drinking water on payment basis," he said.</p>.<p>One can book tickets only through IRCTC website or through Mobile App. Railways has not allowed bookings by agents or at railway stations counters. Maximum Advance Reservation Period (ARP) will be of maximum 7 days.</p>.<p>According to the MHA SOPs, the Ministry of Railways will permit movement of trains in a "graded manner". Only passengers with confirmed e-tickets will be allowed to enter the railway stations while the movement of passengers as well as their drivers transporting passengers to and fro the railway station will be allowed on the basis of e-ticket.</p>.<p>All passengers will be provided with a hand sanitiser at both the entry and exit points at station and in coaches. Passengers will have to wear face masks or face covers throughout the journey and will have to observe social distancing, the SOP said.</p>.<p>* E-ticket cancellation permitted up to 24 hours before scheduled departure</p>.<p>* Cancellation charge shall be 50% of fare</p>.<p>* Separate entry and exit gates at railway stations</p>.<p>* Passengers advised to download the Aarogya Setu application but not mandatory.</p>.<p>* No linen, blankets and curtains shall be provided inside the train</p>.<p>* All stalls and shops on railway platform remain closed.</p>.<p>* Passengers are advised to travel light</p>
