E-Paper
How rail travel could change post Covid-19. Ministry says no decision yet
The Railways Ministry has not yet issued any protocol regarding passenger travel during post lockdown period
That life after the lockdown is lifted, when it lifted, has been widely acknowledged in the government and beyond. The railways, according to a report in www.livehindustan.com, is also working on updating how people should travel in trains. According to the report in Hindustan, a sister publication of Hindustan Times, passengers may be required to reach railway stations well ahead of the scheduled departure time of the train. For now, the officials appear to be looking at the possibility of stipulating a four-hour lead time. This, it is felt, would give passengers adequate time to clear the additional safety protocols that could come into play.
To be sure, the Railways Ministry on Thursday insists that it has not taken a decision so far.
“Ministry of Railways has not issued any protocol regarding passenger travel during post lockdown period, as has been incorrectly reported in some media reports,” the railways ministry tweeted. “As and when a decision is taken, all stakeholders would be intimated. Please do not be guided by any misleading report,” it said.
According to the Hindustan report, here is a list of the changes that are being proposed.
1. Only non-Air conditioned coaches may be available for travel in order to prevent the spread of the disease, which is believed to have greater potential for transmission in air-conditioned environment.
2. Passengers may be required to update and inform the railways of their health status 12 hours before travel.
3. If a traveller is found with symptoms of Covid-19, he is likely to be deboarded and forced to abandon his journey.
4. Every passenger may be given a face mask and a hand glove to use during the journey against a small fee. The use of mask and gloves could be mandatory during travel.
6. Vendors may not be allowed to enter the coaches from outside.
7. Senior citizens may be dissuaded from travelling on trains to save them from catching the infection.
8. Passengers may have to pass through a specially-made tunnel for disinfection.
9. Social distancing norms may be enforced during the journey.
10. All four doors in a train coach are likely to be kept locked to prevent any unauthorised entry into the compartment during the course of the journey.
11. Most trains are likely to operate non-stop between the originating and the destination stations, only a couple of additional stops in between may be allowed in some cases.
12. The side berth in sleeper coaches may be kept vacant to ensure social distancing and only two passengers are likely to be allowed in a cabin comprising of six berths.
