New Delhi . Railways has started preparing to run passenger trains from April 15. But exactly how long trains will run will depend on the government’s decision to end the lockdown. A railway official said on Saturday, “Train services will be restored only after getting specific approval from the Railway Board about each train. Suggestions should be made to the Railway Board for a phased plan. The decision was taken in a video conference held between Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Railway Board Chairman on Friday.
According to sources, initially long-distance mail / express trains will be run. The number of passenger trains will come later. Railway officers and employees have been asked to be ready in this regard. Keeping in mind the availability of rakes, all the 17 zones of the Railways are planning to identify trains and restore their services. There is a possibility that thermal screening of all passengers will be carried out when the train service is restored and all the protocols suggested by the government will be implemented.
There is no possibility of starting rail services from April 15
According to sources, messages have been sent to all 17 railway zones to make preparations. Sources say that the railway can conduct thermal screening of all passengers and is also willing to follow all protocols as advised by the government.
However, senior officials have denied this, stating that no new orders have been issued and since trains were only closed till 14 April, no new orders are required for the effective re-start of trains from 15 April.
Sources have said that a concrete action plan will be sent to all zones later this week.
In an unprecedented move by PM Modi, the lockdown was announced on 24 March, after which the railways suspended the services of 13,523 trains for 21 days. While goods trains are running during this.
Courtsey: jagran.com
