In terms of Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines dated 01.05.2020 and based on requests from the State Governments, Indian Railways operated Shramik Special trains w.e.f. 01.05.2020. In order to gradually reintroduce passenger services, Indian Railways resumed passenger train operations by operating 15 pairs of special trains w.e.f. 12.05.2020 and by operating 100 pairs of trains w.e.f. 01.06.2020. Further, 43 pairs of special trains have been introduced w.e.f. 12.09.2020. At present, only special trains are being operated with limited stoppages, keeping in view the concerns and suggestions of the State Governments, to facilitate management of COVID-19 Pandemic protocol.
Indian Railways had converted 5231 Nos. of Non-AC ICF coaches into isolation coaches temporarily as COVID-19 isolation units during lockdown crisis. Zone wise status is as under:
|
SN |
Zonal Railways |
Nos. of Coaches Converted into isolation coaches. |
|
|
1 |
Central Railway |
482 |
|
|
2 |
Eastern Railway |
380 |
|
|
3 |
East Central Railway |
269 |
|
|
4 |
East Coast Railway |
261 |
|
|
5 |
Northern Railway |
540 |
|
|
6 |
North Central Railway |
130 |
|
|
7 |
North Eastern Railway |
217 |
|
|
8 |
Northeast Frontier Railway |
315 |
|
|
9 |
North Western Railway |
266 |
|
|
10 |
Southern Railway |
573 |
|
|
11 |
South Central Railway |
486 |
|
|
12 |
South Eastern Railway |
338 |
|
|
13 |
South East Central Railway |
111 |
|
|
14 |
South Western Railway |
320 |
|
|
15 |
Western Railway |
410 |
|
|
16 |
West Central Railway |
133 |
|
|
Total |
5231 |
||
As per their requisition, 813 coaches are provided to the State Governments as on 12.09.2020. Subject to their residual codal life, these coaches shall be restored to passenger services when the requirement of these coaches to serve as isolation centres is fulfilled.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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DJN/MKV