Air Conditioned EMU Train suspended from 20th March, 2020
To deal with Corona Virus outbreak, Indian Railways is taking various
steps for the containment and spread of the disease. In this direction, Western
Railway is also taking all best possible efforts to contain the spread of this
deadly and life threatening disease.
According to press release issued by WR CPRO Ravinder Bhakar,
all 12 services of the air conditioned EMU local train on Mumbai Suburban
section have been suspended w.e.f 20th March, 2020 upto 31st March, 2020.
However, there will be no change in the total number of services being run, as
these AC locals are being replaced by the regular non-AC trains.
Hoardings regarding preventive measures to be adopted on the
spread of corona virus have been installed at Charni Rd., Mahalaxmi, Dadar,
Bandra ROB, Santacruz, Vile Parle, Andheri, Goregaon, Malad, Borivali, Vasai Rd
and Virar stations. Vinyl wrapping of two EMU rakes is being done for awareness
in suburban area. Spraying of Lizol disinfectant on grab poles, grab handles,
SS partition, window grills, electrical switches and end panels is being done
in all EMUs on daily basis.
To discourage unnecessary travel and to prevent vulnerable
category of senior citizens from undertaking unnecessary travels, concessional
booking of all tickets except patients, students and divyangjan category for
unreserved and reserved segment are being suspended from 00.00 hrs of 20th
March, 2020 till further advisory. Continuous announcements at 228 stations of
WR, wherever PA system is available are being made regarding precautions to be
taken to prevent the spread of COVID 19. Posters and banners have been
displayed conspicuously at 351 major stations.
Stickers regarding COVID-19 precautions & awareness are
displayed in all coaches and audio messages are being played in rakes with PA
system like Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains). Information is also being
disseminated through LCD/LED screens at stations. The frontline staff like the
ticket checking staff, booking clerks etc have been provided with masks for
their protection. All the coaches on all starting stations of WR are being
thoroughly cleaned by using recommended disinfectant.
In addition, on board cleaning staff have been counseled to
increase the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing areas of mass contact like
switches, door handles, latches, taps, railings and others. All dustbins
provided in coaches are being thoroughly cleaned. Intensive cleaning of
toilets, including wash basins, toilet seats are being done during depot
maintenance as well as on board. Availability of liquid soap and water in
toilets of coaches and pantry cars is being ensured at the start of journey as
well as during run. Curtains in AC coaches have been removed and blankets have
been withdrawn.
Bulk SMSes are being sent to apprise passengers regarding
carrying their own blankets. AC coach attendants have been appropriately
counseled to regulate the temperature setting in AC coaches preferably between
24-25 degree celsius and ensure cleaning of air filters of AC coaches during
every primary maintenance. The Linen are been given in sealed packets to
passengers and AC linen attendants have been strictly counseled against
recirculation of used linen. In addition to this, sufficient additional linen
has also been provided on train, as a standby. Catering staff are using masks
and hand gloves while dealing with passengers. They have also been instructed
to ensure hygiene and frequent cleaning of catering units.
As a measure towards the concept of social distancing, trains
with low occupancy are being cancelled. So far 155 pairs of low occupancy
trains over Indian Railways have been cancelled upto 31st March 2020. Trains
are cancelled keeping in view the availability of alternate trains for
passengers and ensuring that no passenger shall remain stranded . Full refund is
being given to all the passengers of the cancelled trains. Indian Railways has
also facilitated return of students stranded in Northern part of country due to
sudden closure of educational institutions to their homes in other parts of the
country. To restrict and discourage number of people in railway premises at
selected big stations over W.Rly, the rate of platform tickets has been
increased from Rs.10 to Rs.50/- as a precautionary measure for crowd management.
Medical and Commercial frontline staff have been trained to
extend all possible help to the passengers. They are provided with information
about State, District & Railway medical facilities and helpline numbers.
Medical emergency calls on Corona is being manned 24×7 and these calls are being
handled with sincerity and alacrity. 1005 quarantine beds, 75 isolation beds
have been arranged in 7 hospitals on Western Railway. The facility of offering
the 7 railway hospitals to general public will be done after assessment by the
State/Municipal Health Authorities. PPE (Mask, gown, goggle, shoe cover) have
been stocked in all hospitals.
Frontline staff have been sensitized to recommend people with
symptoms and refer them for further testing at nominated hospitals. The contact
number of local health authorities has been displayed at prominent places. The
Municipal Corporation of Mumbai have submitted the list of foreign returned
passengers to railways, which has been circulated to all stations. These
passengers are prohibited from boarding the train, and in case they have
boarded the train, they will be asked to alight at the next station.
Zonal control room of W. Rly has been set up at Jagjivan Ram
Hospital at Mumbai Central with contact numbers 022- 23080755, 022-67643200,
022-67643300 and the Whatsapp number of Medical Officer for Zone and JRH is –
9004490560. The staff and Doctors manning these isolation wards have been
provided personal protection gears, masks and gloves with adequate sanitizers
for infection control. Awareness audio and video clippings are being played in
local trains, stations and hospitals.