With the number of COVID-19 cases climbing to 341 in India and global number topping 300,000, it has been decided to cancel all trains, inter-state bus service, and Metro services till March 31 to curb coronavirus spread.
However, goods trains will continue to run to ensure the essential supplies in various parts of the country. There are about 8000 freight trains run daily on the rail network.
Besides, all inter-state bus service will also be suspended till March 31.
In a high-level meeting, with Chief Secretaries of all the states by the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, it was agreed that there is an urgent need to extend the restrictions on the movement of non-essential passenger transport including inter-state transport till March 31.
The state governments were also advised to allow only essential services in the 75 districts across the country which have reported confirmed cases of casualties relating to COVID-19.
Keeping the coronavirus scare in mind, all passenger train services including suburban and Kolkata Metro services will remain suspended till March 31, said a senior Railway Ministry official.
“In continuation of the measures taken in the wake of Covid-19, it has been decided that the cancellation of all passenger train services on Indian Railways and Konkan Railway shall be extended till 31st March,” the official added.
The latest decision will stop the movement of around 10,000 trains.
In order to help passengers, a full refund for all cancelled trains would be given till June 21, 2020. Adequate arrangements shall be made to facilitate a hassle-free refund to passengers affected by train cancellations.