‘NO MASK WILL ATTRACT FINE OF RS 500’
KOLKATA: Eastern Railway will impose a fine of Rs 500 on passengers if found not wearing masks. This comes at a time when the city is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
“For not wearing face mask/ face cover at Railway premises (including trains), fines (upto Rs 500) shall be imposed by Railway authorities. Spitting or littering at Railway premises affecting public hygiene will also induct penal measures,” said Ekalabya Chakraborty, Chief Public Relations Officer of Eastern Railway.
As many as 25 local trains continued to remain cancelled on Saturday in the Sealdah Division after rise in the COVID-19 infection among railway employees.
“Seven local trains in the South section and 18 local trains in the North section have remained cancelled on April 17, 2021,” said an official of Eastern Railway, Sealdah Division, seeking anonymity.
According to sources, local train services have been affected as 14 guards of Sealdah Division were affected by Coronavirus.
Due to lack of guards, a total of 13 pairs of local trains had to be cancelled on Friday at various branches of the division. Eastern Railway had also launched awareness campaign for wearing mask/face cover and other Covid Appropriate Behaviour. “Passengers / Rail Users are requested to wear Face Mask/ Face Cover properly, maintain cleanliness at Railway premises, follow Covid Appropriate Behaviours and Covid Protocols scrupulously,” said an official. For the internal staff, Eastern Railway's Howrah Division has started ‘Operation Steam' from April 16, 2021 for all field units and offices.
Each and every unit, every gang, every depot, sick line yard, lobby, running room, every possible location will be a steam inhaler where the staff can take steam.