Railways to Resume Services of 200 Express Trains from June 1

The Indian Railways has on Wednesday said that it would start operations of 200 passenger services for various key cities across the country from June 1. The online bookings for all these trains will commence from 10 am on May 21.

These trains will have fully reserved air-conditioned as well as non-conditioned coaches. However, there will be no unreserved coaches. The Railway Ministry’s decision to run more trains will help migrant workers who wish to travel. These trains will be in addition to the existing Shramik Special trains flagged May 1 and 30 special AC trains that started ferrying people to and from Delhi last week. Other regular passenger services including all mail/express, passenger and suburban services shall remain cancelled until further advice.

Graded restoration of train services, is in sync with the easing of stringent nationwide lockdown rules. On other hands, the Civil Aviation operations are likely to resume in a calibrated manner May 25 onwards. The Union Ministry said, "Fare shall be as normal and for General (GS) coaches, being reserved, second seating (2S) fare shall be charged and seat will be provided to all the passengers”.

“Only online bookings will be done through IRCTC website or through mobile application. No tickets will be booked across the reservation counter on any railway station. Booking of tickets through agents will not be permitted”, reads the guideline issued by the Railway Ministry. The advance reservation period will be maximum 30 days. Although, the waitlisted tickets will be generated but the passengers will be allowed to board trains only if the seat is confirmed. Tatkal and premium tatkal services will not be offered. The guideline said, "All passengers shall be compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to board the train”.

There will fare concessions for four categories of handicapped passengers and 11 categories of patients in these special trains. Passengers will not be given linen, blankets but curtains shall be provided inside the train. “The passengers will have to adhere the necessary health protocols as prescribed by the destination state/UT”, the guideline said.