Tickets sold out, no social distancing on trains to Delhi

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 13.05.2020

Tickets on Chennai-New Delhi AC train scheduled to depart on Friday and Sunday were sold out soon after bookings opened on Tuesday morning.

Reservation status of these two trains – one on Friday and another on Sunday – has touched wait list 1 and bookings have been suspended because waitlist is not allowed on the services. The train will have one AC First Class coach, five AC 2 tier coaches coaches and 11 AC 3 tier coaches.

However, there will not be social distancing in the train as passengers will be occupying all berths unlike in Shramik special trains for guest workers where middle berth and one side berth was left unoccupied.

The high fare, air conditioned coaches in violation of ministry of health's order for confined space and mandatory download of Arogya Setu app to travel have caused a concern among passengers. However, several have decided to take the risk because for them travelling to their home or work is crucial.

And booking was not easy. K V Bharadwaj, who works in Delhi, who had booked to travel on Friday, said “I tried to book soon after I heard about the train. I tried on Monday evening but a message popped up that booking has been postponed to 6pm. I had to try whole night before I got through by around 9.45am.”

He is happy that he managed to get the ticket. “I have to reach Delhi. Its AC train. But I do not worry about the risks. All I need is travel for work.” The Delhi-Chennai train too was sold out soon after booking opened on Monday night.

Sriharan Balan of Madura Travels said that “Several people wants to go to Delhi because they have been stuck here for so many days. More than 2,000 people are looking to travel to Delhi alone. There are more numbers waiting for flights and trains. Some have personal emergencies others have to report for work.”

However, people raise concern about the way in which the trains are going to be operated inspite of a request from the state government.

T Sadagopan, a frequent traveler and consumer activist, said “There is a need to ensure safety of passengers. The air-conditioned train is in contradiction to the government stand which warned against using airconditioned buildings. The service will be a risk for the people who travel because they can pick up infection as there is no social distancing and people have to share toilets. It may be fine for a two hours to four hours journey but not for a journey that lasts for several hours.”

Reservation status of the two trains – one on Friday and another on Sunday – has touched wait list 1 and bookings have been suspended because waitlist is not allowed on the services