Festive rush: More trains on track

In view of ensuing festive season and to clear huge rush of passengers, NCR is increasing the numbers of special trains in a phased and gradual manner. With announcement of 196 additional special trains on October 13 by railways, total 288 special trains and 130 festival specials, including 20 pairs of originating specials, will be catering to different stations of NCR, said officials.

Besides, several steps are being taken to protect railway passengers from Covid-19 at stations and in trains, said Ajeet Kumar Singh, NCR CPRO.

Jan Aandolan, a low cost and high intensity campaign on Covid appropriate behavior, is already being run at stations, in trains, offices and staff colonies, and it is stressing on use of facemask, maintaining minimum 2-yard physical distance and regular hand washing.

So far 106 stations and 12 pairs of originating special trains of NCR have been provided with more than 660 posters and banners on Covid appropriate behaviour. Auto announcement on Covid-19 awareness is being made at 80 stations, digital displays of awareness clips at 09 stations. Besides, more than 40,000 passengers, railway employees and other persons have taken pledge for following Covid guidelines, the CPRO added.

Approximately 50 lakh SMS have been sent to passengers and railway employees related to Covid related precautions to be observed in trains and at stations, he said. In view of expected increase in footfall at stations during festivals a special awareness drive has also been launched by RPF in stations and trains. Besides, RPF is also taking action for violation of Covid-19 related guidelines under various sections of Railway Act 1989.

Under this campaign, all major stations including Prayagraj Junction, Mirzapur, Kanpur Central, Tundla, Aligarh, Jhansi, Gwalior, Urai, Lalitpur, Banda, Agra Cantonment, Agra Fort, Mathura Junction etc and originating special trains along with other important trains over NCR, are being checked by RPF personnel for compliance of Covid-19 related guidelines.

Covid-19 related infrastructure has also been augmented to handle increased passengers.