States want to cut train frequency, says Indian Railways

NEW DELHI: The Indian Railways has not announced any new train services beside the 230 train services as it has been getting requests from several state governments to reduce the frequency, cancel the stoppages depending on the coronavirus situation, said Railway Board Chairman V.K. Yadav on Friday.

Addressing a virtual press conference, Yadav said, "We are in constant touch with state governments on a real time basis, and depending on the COVID-19 situation we are getting request for cancellation of few trains, reducing the frequency of trains and sometime cancelling the stoppage of the trains in the state."

"And it is the reason why we have been unable to announce more train services in the coming days," he said. The Indian Railways has suspended the passenger, mail and express train services from March 25 to combat the spread of COVID-19. It started to run Shramik Special trains from May 1 to transport the stranded migrant workers, students, pilgrims and tourists.

The railways then started the 15 pairs of Special air conditioned trains from May 12 and 100 pairs of time tabled trains from June 1. Elaborating on the issue, the Chairman said, "The Tamil Nadu government requested us to cancel seven trains from June 29 to July 15. And yesterday they again wrote to us that they want to further cancel those trains. So we have cancelled those trains until further notice." He said that the Railways similarly got request from the West Bengal government to reduce the frequency of five trains and request from the Odisha government to cancel some of the stoppages of few trains. (IANS)

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