After the lockdown ends, each train will run to 2/3rd of its capacity. B. Jothi Ramalingam
Once services resume after the lockdown ends, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Chennai division, is planning to rope in ex-servicemen to provide security on trains.
“All our personnel will be provided masks and sanitisers,” said an officer.
The officer said that an RPF officer or ex-serviceman would escort two compartments.
“Immediately after the lockdown is lifted, some changes are expected in the structure of the compartments. There will only be one entry/exit and the number of seats will be reduced. Each train will run to only 2/3rd of its capacity. There will be no unreserved compartment,” said an officer.
The government is also planning various measures pertaining to the running of trains. One is to divide the country into three zones — red, yellow and green — depending on the number of COVID-19 cases. In the red zone, no transport services will be introduced, yellow will have restricted services and green will have no restrictions on the number of services
“To ensure physical distancing, there will be no allotment of the middle berth in the three-tier sleeper and air-conditioned coaches of long-distance trains. Even side berths may not be there. Linen and food will not be introduced till the number of cases come down. All scheduled trains are to be cancelled and only special trains will run. There will be thermal screening at all entry points and passengers above 60 will not to be allowed to travel,” said a railway official.
There are also plans to make wearing of masks compulsory.
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