No unreserved passengers on trains while pandemic lasts

No unreserved passengers on trains while pandemic lasts

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:07.10.2021

It may take longer for unreserved passengers to be allowed on express trains as railways will decide on it after Covid-19 situation improves.

Southern Railway general manager John Thomas told reporters that almost all of the express trains have resumed services and a few of the passenger trains as unreserved specials but unreserved passengers are not being allowed into express trains as the railway board wants the Covid situation to improve.

This will impact suburban commuters because several of them used to travel into the city for work using unreserved tickets from stations where suburban or main line EMU trains are not frequent.

He also said that the cost of the platform tickets too could be reduced only "if there is no third wave." He said that "we are not fully out of Covid. The cases have reduced but not down to zero. The idea of making the platform tickets expensive was to ensure that only essential people will enter the station."

Meanwhile, railways are going ahead with augmenting infrastructure. Two lines - the third line between Tambaram and Chengalpet and doubling of Madurai-Bodinayakanur line - are getting ready.

"We will have the commissioner of railway safety to inspect the lines in almost a month. In the Madurai-Bodinayakanur line we have been told to attend to a power line that is crossing."

The lines could be commissioned after the inspection. The Tambaram-Chengalpet third line will help railways to operate more suburban trains linking Chengalpet to the city.

Commenting on the productivity linked bonus that was announced by Indian Railways for non-gazetted staff on Wednesday, Thomas said that 72,241 employees of Southern Railway will get the benefit. That will be to the tune of Rs 130crore, he added.

He also said that the zone was able to achieve 95% punctuality and there was a 25% increase in earning from freight.

Suburban commuters will be affected because several of them travel into the city for work using unreserved tickets in express trains