Coronavirus Outbreak: No Passenger Trains To Ply During 'Janata Curfew' On Mar 22

Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) on Friday informed that no passenger train will be allowed to begin its journey from its originating station between 4 AM and 10 PM on March 22 (Sunday) in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for a 'janata curfew' amid the novel coronavirus scare.

The ECoR, however, said that those trains which have started from originating station and are on run before 4 AM of March 22 will be allowed to run up to their destination stations.

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A circular addressed to all zonal railways said: "Keeping in view the fact that the demand for rail travel will be vastly reduced during the janata curfew between 7 AM and 9 PM on Sunday. The zonal railways are hereby advised to regulate services. All passenger trains originating between March 21-22 midnight to 10 PM on March 22 shall not run. However, passenger train already on the go at 7 am on that day will be allowed to reach their destinations."

The decision was taken by the Railway Board after a meeting with General Managers of zonal railways to contain the spread of novel coronavirus in India.

The circular said that railway divisions should keep a watch and empty trains could be terminated short of their final destinations, if required.

The railways said that approximately 1,300 mail or express trains will remain cancelled on March 22.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged people to opt for a 'janata curfew' on Sunday from 7 am to 9 pm.

The railways said that suburban services in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Secundrabad shall be reduced to bare minimum only to cater to essential travel requirements.

The zonal railways authorities, as per the assessment of local conditions and requirements, will decide on the number of services.

Passengers alighting en route from trains already on way to their final destinations, and desirous of staying at those stations may be accommodated in waiting halls and rooms and concourse without overcrowding.

"Drinking water and refreshments (on payment) shall be arranged for to cater to the needs of such passengers," the circular said.

The circular asked zonal authorities to keep a close watch on the situation at major railway stations and press into service special trains wherever needed to clear the rush of passengers.

The railways has till now cancelled over 245 pairs of trains amid the coronavirus crisis across the country.

Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: Railway Begins Thermal Screening Of Passengers In Running Trains

On Friday, 25 fresh cases were recorded in India, taking the total affected persons to 223. At least five persons including an Italian tourist have died, with one death each in Punjab, Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka and Rajasthan.

(With IANS inputs)