Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Mar 22: In view of the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the country, Indian Railways on Sunday March 22 announced stopping all the trains, except the goods trains, till March 31.
Rajesh Dutt Bajpai, executive director, ministey of railways, in a statement said, "No train except goods train will be run up to midnight hrs of March 31."
Bajpai said bare minimum suburban services and Kolkata metro Rail service will continue to run till midnight on March 22.
"Thereafter these services will also be stopped till midnight of March 31," he added.
The national transporter's decision came amid reports of two fresh deaths from Covid-19 in Maharashtra and Bihar.
On Sunday, the total number of Covid-19 patients crossed 300 mark.
By Saturday, the Railways had cancelled 245 pairs of trains across the country and also stopped providing blankets in the air-conditioned coaches.
Indian Railways cancelled all train services on Sunday. This includes cancellation of services for mail and express trains which will halt from 4 am to 10 pm. Meanwhile, all suburban train services will be reduced to a bare minimum.
“All passenger trains originating between midnight of March 21/March 22 to 10 pm on March 22 (approximately 2,400 services) shall not be run," an order issued by the railways said.
"However, the passenger train services already on the run at 7 am on Sunday will be allowed to run to destinations. Divisions should keep a watch and trains which are empty could be short-terminated if required,” it added.
In a means to curb infections, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, all onboard catering services in mail or express trains were issued directions to close from March 22 until further notice. The closure included shutting down of all food plazas, refreshment rooms, Jan Aahars and cell kitchens.
"The static units supplying meals to prepaid trains which are in operation may continue to operate. The onboard catering services in mail express trains and TSV trains should be closed until further advice," the order stated.
With IANS inputs