Coronavirus update: 85 trains cancelled on major routes, platform ticket prices hiked

Coronavirus update: The railways ministry has decided to set up a six-member ‘Covid Response Team’ at the centre comprising Executive Directors from the Railway Board.

Indian Railways on Tuesday cancelled at least 85 trains across several major routes and ordered a sharp hike in platform tickets from Rs 10 to Rs 50 at important railway stations. The twin moves come against the backdrop of efforts to reduce crowding to stop spread of coronavirus.

Indian passengers wearing masks as a precaution against the new coronavirus wait at railway station in Jammu. (AP)

Maharashtra has seen the maximum number of Covid-19 cases with 39 patients testing positive till date. India has reported 3 deaths due to coronavirus with total positive cases up to 137 till Tuesday. A 64-year-old patient from Maharashtra admitted to Mumbai’s Kasturba Hospital had died early Tuesday morning.

The spread of the infection, coupled with stress on social isolation, has led to a spike in instances of passengers cancelling tickets in Western, Central and East Coast railways.

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