WR partially commenced normal passenger services with two AC special trains

Trains
departed from Mumbai Central and Sabarmati to New Delhi

Ministry of
Railways in consultation with Ministry of Health & Family welfare (MoHFW)
and Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) has decided to partially commence passenger
train services on Indian Railways in a graded manner and connecting the
national capital majorly with the state capital cities.

As per this decision, 15 pairs of special trains commenced their journey from various major places of the country, out of which 2 trains departed from Mumbai Central and Sabarmati (Ahmedabad) of Western Rly to New Delhi – the national capital of India.

According to
a press release issued by WR CPRO Ravinder Bhakar, train No. 02951 running
between Mumbai Central – NDLS was occupied by 1487 passengers, including 1107
from Mumbai Central, 97 from Surat,  83
from Vadodara, 23 from Ratlam &  177
from Kota stations. Similarly, train no. 02957 running between Sabarmati – New
Delhi had occupancy of 1228 passengers including 830 from Sabarmati, 223 from
Jaipur, 104 from Palanpur,  66 from Abu
Road & 5 from Gurgaon stations. In all total 2715 passengers were reserved
in these two special trains.

It’s worth
mentioning that Indian Railways had announced the timings of 15 pairs of
special trains (thirty trains) which started running from 12th May, 2020, These
special trains presently will have only Air conditioned classes of First,
Second & Third AC. The fare structure for these ‘Special Trains’ are as
applicable for the regular time tabled Rajdhani trains, excluding catering
charges and the tickets (E-Tickets) are only available online through IRCTC
website or through Mobile App.

The maximum
Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for these special trains will be of maximum 7
days. The tickets for these trains cannot be booked across the reservation
counter on any Railway Station nor through ‘agents’, (both IRCTC Agents and
Railway Agents). Also, booking of RAC/Waiting list ticket and on board booking
by ticket checking staff is also not permitted. Similarly, current booking,
tatkal and premium tatkal booking as well as Unreserved tickets (UTS) is also
not permitted.

Since,
catering charges is excluded in the fare, passengers are encouraged to carry
their own food and drinking water. No stalls/ booths on the platforms shall be
opened. No train side vending would be permitted. However, IRCTC shall make
provision for limited eatables and packaged drinking water on payment basis
inside the train and information to this effect shall be made available to
passengers during the time of booking ticket.

Online
cancellation for these trains shall be permitted up to 24 hrs before scheduled
departure of train. No cancellation permitted less than 24 hrs before departure
of train. Cancellation charge shall be 50% of fare.

Further, as
per MHA guidelines the movement of the passenger(s) as well as the driver of
the vehicle transporting the passenger(s) to and fro the Railway Station shall
be allowed on the basis of the confirmed e-ticket.

Shri Bhakar
stated that, out of these 15 pairs of special trains, two pairs of train
services are being operated from Western Railway, the details of which are as
under :-

1) Train No.
02951 Mumbai Central – New Delhi AC Special train will be operated daily from
12th May, 2020. The train will depart at 17.30 hrs from Mumbai Central and will
reach New Delhi at 09.05 hrs, the next day. Similarly, Train No. 02952 New
Delhi – Mumbai Central AC Special train will be operated daily from 13th May,
2020. The train will depart at 16.55 hrs from New Delhi and will reach Mumbai
Central at 08.45 hrs, the next day. The train comprises of First AC, II Tier AC
& III Tier AC coaches. The train will halt at Surat, Vadodara, Ratlam &
Kota stations in both the directions.

2) Train
No.02957 Sabarmati (Ahmedabad) – New Delhi AC Special train will be operated
daily from 12th May, 2020. The train will depart at 18.20 hrs from Sabarmati
station and will reach New Delhi at 08.00 hrs. next day. Similarly, Train No.
02958 New Delhi – Sabarmati (Ahmedabad) AC Special train will be operated daily
from 13th May, 2020. The train will depart at 20.25 hrs from New Delhi and will
reach Sabarmati station at 10.05 hrs. next day. The train comprises of First
AC, II Tier AC & III Tier AC coaches. The train will halt at Palanpur, Abu
Road, Jaipur & Gurgaon stations in both directions.

Passengers
travelling by these special services are required observe the following
precautions:

(a) Only
passengers with Confirmed tickets shall be allowed to enter the Railway
station.

(b) All
passengers shall be compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers are
allowed to enter /board the train.

(c)
Passengers are advised to travel light.

(d) It is
compulsory for all passengers to wear face covers/masks at the entry and during
travel.

(e) The
passengers shall reach the station at-least 90 minutes to 2 hrs in advance to
facilitate thermal screening at the station. Only passengers who are found
asymptomatic will be permitted to travel.

(f) All
passengers are advised to download and use the Aarogya Setu application before
arriving at the station.

(g) No
Linen, blankets and curtains shall be provided inside the train. Passengers are
advised to carry their own linen for the travel. The temperature inside AC
coaches shall be suitably regulated for this purpose.

(h)
Passengers shall observe government guidelines on social distancing both at the
station and on trains.

(i) On
arrival at their destination, the travelling passengers will have to adhere to
such health protocols as are prescribed by the destination state/UT

These
services are in addition to the Shramik specials for transporting stranded
persons, which are under operation w.e.f. 1st May 2020. Other regular Passenger
services including all mail/express, passenger and suburban services shall
remain cancelled until further advice.