Suburban trains from Oct 5 for essential workers

The Southern Railway on Friday said the Tamil Nadu government employees authorised as essential services staff would be allowed to board its “Workmen Specials” running on the city’s suburban routes from October 5.

Southern Railway is presently operating the specials for its own workmen. The services would be out of bounds for the general public. “In response to the request of the government of Tamil Nadu, it is decided to permit essential services staff authorised by the State government to travel in limited number of suburban trains run as Workmen Specials by Chennai Division of the Southern Railway with effect from October 5,” an official release said.

Details of train services would be displayed at the stations. The release further said a nodal officer of the State government would authorise and issue specific travel permission to travel. S Santhi, Deputy Secretary to the government (Establishment) will be the nodal officer for issuing travel permission. “The specific travel permission shall have details such as name, designation and department/office among others. This travel permission in original will be accepted by the Railways only when presented along with the photo ID Card of the person issued by his/her office,” it said. Southern Railway will issue single journey and season tickets at the booking counters. Passengers will be checked at two levels: first by the RPF personnel at the entry and then at the platform by ticket checking staff.