Travelling during festive season? Indian Railways issues COVID guidelines to be followed

festive season is set to kick in from October 17, with start of Navratri, and will go on till mid-vember when people will mark Diwali. As is always case, thousands of people across India plan to travel to ir native towns to be with ir families on se occasions and most preferred way to commute is through railways.

However, since COVID-19 pandemic remains at large a threat, railway authorities have issued guidelines for travellers.  Railway Protection Force (RPF) has asked commuters to desist from following acts or omission while being at railway stations, in trains, or or railway areas:

1. t wearing a mask or wearing a mask improperly;
2. t maintaining social distancing;
3. Coming to railway area or station or boarding a train after having declared Covid-19 Positive;
4. Coming to railway area or station or boarding a train after giving samples for testing of coronavirus and awaiting result;
5. Boarding a train after having been denied to undertake travel by health check-up team at railway station;
6. Spitting or wilful ejection of body fluid/waste in a public area;
7. Activities which may create unclean or unhygienic conditions or affect public health and safety in railway stations and trains;
8. t hering to any of guidelines issued by Railway ministration for prevention of spre of coronavirus;
9. Any or act or omission likely to aid in spre of coronavirus.

Violation to be punished

Observing that such acts or omissions are likely to aid in spre of COVID-19, authorities have said any violation of rules will tantamount to interference with passenger amenities provided by railway ministration. 

Wilful omission or neglect endangering or causing to be endangered safety of any person or rash and negligent act or omission likely to endanger safety of any person travelling or being upon any railway and may be punished with imprisonment and/or fine under section 145, 153 and 154 of Railway Act 1989, Railway Ministry has said.

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Special trains for festive season

On October 13, Railways anunced that it will operate 392 festival special trains between October 20 and vember 30 in view of upcoming festive season.  decision was taken as national carrier is anticipating a passenger rush during upcoming festive season, Ministry said in a statement.

special trains will be run for destinations such as Kolkata, Patna, Varanasi, Luckw among ors to cater to growing demand in ensuing holiday period of Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhatt puja, it said.

Till w, railways have pressed into service more than 300 mail/express trains which are w running regularly across country. Railways has orwise suspended all its regular services due to coronavirus pandemic and is operating trains as per demand and necessity.

(PTI Photo)

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