After the Prime Minister’s announcement of extending nationwide lockdown by almost three weeks to fight the coronavirus pandemic during his address to the nation at 10 am, the Indian Railways has extended the suspension of its passenger services till May 3.
Indian Railways extends suspension of passenger services till May 3
The Indian Railways on Tuesday said in a release, “In continuation of the measures taken in the wake of COVID-19 Lockdown, it has been decided that all passenger train services on Indian Railways including Premium trains, Mail/Express trains, Passenger trains, Suburban Trains, Kolkata Metro Rail, Konkan Railway etc. shall continue to remain cancelled till the 2400hrs of 3rd May 2020.”
It further added that no advance reservation will be allowed “till further notice”. For all the cancelled trains, a full refund will be given to the passengers. The Indian Railways said that full refund would automatically be provided to its online customers for trains cancelled up to May 3, while those who have booked at the counters can take refund till July 31.
Apart from this, customers will also get full refunds of their tickets if they are cancelling their advance bookings for trains not yet cancelled.
A senior official said, “All counters for booking of rail journey tickets for reserved/unreserved travel at railway stations and outside railway station premises shall remain closed up to 2400 hrs of 3rd May 2020.”
The railways also clarified that movement of goods and parcel trains will continue to ensure the essential supplies in various parts of the country.
Directing Zonal Railways to ensure strict adherence to the instructions, the railways said, “Resumption of train services as may be warranted in consideration of public safety, keeping in view the emergent situation, shall be announced in due course.”
All passenger transport had been suspended for the three-week-long lockdown period that began on March 25.
