Maligaon, Nov 04: Immediately after complete lock down was lifted, Indian Railways started operation of 15 pairs of special trains having only air-conditioned coaches connecting various cities with New Delhi with effect from 12th May onwards.
Later more pairs of Passenger special trains connecting various cities of the country were put into operation. Festival special trains are also put into operation to cater the need of travelling public in the festive season. All these special trains are connecting almost every nook and corner of the country. In addition Clone trains are also being run in routes where there is more rush.
In NFR presently 21 pairs of passenger special trains are running. Moreover 12 pairs of Festival specials and 2 pairs of Clone special trains are also in operation. So in NFR at present 35 pairs of passenger carrying long distance special trains are in operation.
The introduction of special passenger train services enabled passengers to undertake essential travels as the economic and other activities are gradually opening up in the country. The data available on various special trains till last month shows that most of the trains are running with full occupancy.
Out of 21 pairs of passenger specials 15 pairs are running with full occupancy in both directions. 3 special trains are running with full occupancy while originating from NFR and during return their occupancy varies within 50% to 70%. In rest of the trains occupancy varies within 55% to 85% in both directions.
Among the 12 pairs of Festival specials; trains like Agartala – Sealdah Tri weekly special, Udaipur – New Jalpaiguri Weekly special, Kamakhya – Anand Vihar Daily spl are running with full occupancy in both directions.
New Alipurduar- Sealdah daily special, Jogbani – Anand Vihar Bi-weekly spl, Silchar – Sealdah Tri-weekly spl and Guwahati – Silchar Bi-weekly spl are running with more than 90% occupancy. Kolkata – Guwahati AC spl is running with about 70% and Delhi – Katihar weekly special is running with about 80% occupancy.
The Clone special train from New Jalpaiguri to Amritsar and Katihar to Delhi are also running with full occupancy from NFR side.
Passengers are now feeling confident to undertake rail travel in between various cities of the country in view of the safety measures taken by the railways.
It may be mentioned here that NFR is taking various precautionary measures for the safety of passengers by adhering to all COVID-19 protocols apart from spreading awareness among its passengers about the Dos and Don’ts to be followed during rail travel.
