Metro Rail, long distance trains; bus services resume in TN

After a five-month plus hiatus, Chennai Metro Rail services and long-distance buses linking various districts in Tamil Nu recommenced operations on Monday.

Similarly, trains within state also resumed services after a break of about two months.

tably, passenger trains and long-distance buses to Chennai city from or parts of Tamil Nu and services from state capital began on Monday after y were ceased in March owing to COVID-19.

When first Metro train departed from Airport to Washermenpet, at 7 am, Industries Minister M C Sampath was among those who boarded train and he travelled up to Nandanam station.

Train stopp time at stations has been increased from 20 seconds to 50 seconds to facilitate passengers to de-board and board by maintaining social distancing and also to ensure fresh air circulation.

Stickers were stuck and markings have been me both in trains and platforms so that passengers could sit on alternate seats to ensure social distancing.

Metrorail, which has begun operations in Blueline between Airport and Washermanpet via Anna Salai, services in Greenline from St Thomas Mount to MGR Central Metro would start from September 9.

authorities h alrey anunced that services will be open till 8 pm and re will be inter-corridor movement between Central Metro and Airport stations requesting passengers to plan ir journeys accordingly.

Long-distance buses run by government transport corporations connecting various destinations within Tamil Nu began operations across state.

An official told P T I that passenger turut was moderate and online reservations "should improve" in days to come.

Barring Chennai and nearby three districts, interzonal (each zone comprises a number of nearby districts) bus transport, that commenced on June 1, was suspended on June 26. Later, as part of relaxations, government h allowed buses within districts from September 1 and from w on, bus services have been resumed in a full-fledged manner.

Also, trains within Tamil Nu including daily Chennai-Coimbatore Intercity, Chennai Egmore TiruchchirappalliChennai Egmore and Coimbatore- Mayiluthurai-Coimbatore Janshatabdi Special (except Tuesdays) resumed services.

General Manr, Sourn Railway on his twitter handle said: "573 passengers were on board Special Train .

02636 Murai - Chennai Egmore special train, first fully reserved train to leave Murai as part of #Unlock4 - All laid down safety protocols were duly hered - RPF and frontline staff were deployed to guide passengers." Contactless ticket checking was done at platform and temperature of passengers was monitored through rmal cameras and trains and platforms were sanitised using disinfectants.

Sourn Railway, following a request of state government, h on June 27 anunced cancellation of special trains (including Tiruchirappalli-Chengelpet-Tiruchirappalli Superfast Intercity Express, and Coimbatore-Mayiluthurai- Coimbatore Janshatabdi) within Tamil Nu.

government h requested cancellation of trains in view of an increase in COVID cases. However, such trains did t connect Chennai city to or destinations in Tamil Nu and vice-versa though special trains that linked Chennai to Delhi were operated.