Select passenger trains to be upgraded in to mails, express

THE TIMING OF OPERATING THESE TRAINS AND THE STOPPAGES WOULD BE ANNOUNCED BY THE BOARD IN DAYS TO COME.

After introducing mail, express and clone trains during different phases of Unlock in the Covid-19 pandemic era, the Railway Board has now decided to enhance the speed of some passenger trains and convert them into mail and express trains. The move would help passengers to reach their destinations in shorter time, said officials.

The move also promises that the board would soon give a go ahead for running these ‘converted’ mail or express trains on their scheduled routes.

Among the list of 358 trains issued by the Railway Board, there are six trains of North Central Railway (NCR) too. These include train running between Prayagraj and neighbouring districts including Jhansi, Bareilly, Itarsi and Chopan.

“The Railway Board has instructed converting four passenger trains into mail and express train and once the exercise is done, these trains would be introduced for the common passengers, providing the muchneeded relief to those traveling on these routes,” said chief public relation officer (CPRO), NCR, Ajeet Kumar Singh.

The official added that the timing of operating these trains and the stoppages would be announced by the board in days to come.

Of the four trains, PrayagrajChopan and Prayagraj-Jhansi train would operate from Prayagraj Junction while Prayagraj Sangam-Bareilly train will operate from Prayagraj Sangam station. Prayagraj-Itarsi train would operate from Prayagraj Cheoki station.

Moreover, after being reintroduced as mail or express trains, the fare of these trains would be more. The passengers would be asked to follow all the set norms which are presently being followed across the country in the already running passenger trains.

On March 24, all trains had come to a standstill following the lockdown. From May 12, mail and special trains started running as special trains and later this was followed by introduction of clone trains.