Everyone is now waiting for May 3 and is curious to know if the lockdown will open? Will trains start running from May 4? It is not clear yet, but Indian Railways has started brainstorming on its strategy after Lockdown. The plan is that if trains are run after Lockdown opens, then how should the arrangements be made so that the passengers are not inconvenienced and can be evacuated by the corona virus. It is being considered that till the corona virus is controlled, food should be distributed in trains, only water should be served. It is reported that after the end of Lockdown, passengers may have to bring food during the journey in premium trains like Rajdhani with Shatabdi Express, Gatiman Express and Tejas Express. Read Nishant Yadav’s report from Lucknow
According to IRCTC Chief Regional Manager Ashwini Srivastava, Tejas can be run following physical distance along the lines of airlines after the lockdown is lifted. In this train, water can be given to passengers under vigilance. The idea of not giving food is currently under consideration.
This can be arranged in trains
As per the plan, Railways will supply only plain water to these selected trains. During this time, physical distance in trains like Shatabdi and Tejas will be followed on the lines of airlines. A second passenger will be seated behind the seat of a chaircar.
In the bogies of general and sleeper class trains, there is a plan to remove the waiting list and middle confirmed seats for physical distance.
The biggest crisis is the AC class journey due to Corona virus. AC class bogies have central AC. In such a situation, this AC cannot be run. There is also the confusion that the passengers in the fully closed bogie without AC will be disturbed. It is impossible to travel in these coaches in summer. It is being considered that in such cases the glass of AC class bogies can also be removed. That is, trains can be non-AC. This will affect the rent.
