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NEW DELHI: Thousands of people gathered at the New Delhi railway station on Tuesday with mixed feelings of relief and apprehension, and many landed hours before the train’s scheduled departure, when the railways resumed service amid the COVID-19 induced blocking.
The railways said that three special AC trains will leave the New Delhi railway station for Dibrugarh, Bengaluru and Bilaspur.
The train to Dibrugarh in Assam He departed at 4.45pm, while the one who left for Bilaspur at Chhattisgarh departed at 4pm. The train to Bangalore in Karnataka will leave the station at 9.15pm.
The national carrier is taking all safety precautions, such as following social distancing and providing hand sanitizers to passengers to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.
The resumption of train services has been a great relief to many stranded in the national capital due to the national blockade.
For Ram Vilas, 70, a craftsman of metal statues, the main concern is his journey from Patna station to his home in Madhubani in Bihar.
“I came to Delhi for a craft fair in February. After the closure was imposed, I was stranded with my team of seven craftsmen at Pragati Maidan. The train ticket is a great relief, but my concern is to get to Madhubani later getting out of the train in Patna, “he said.
A total of 1,122 passengers were booked on the New Delhi-Dibrugarh special train which left at 4:45 p.m. The New Delhi-Bilaspur train, which left at 4 pm, had 1,177 passenger reservations, railway officials said.
The Chelmsford road leading to the New Delhi railway station was heavily blocked by the police, as those who had to catch the trains walked with their luggage or hired rickshaws.
The entrance to the railway station was also blocked by the police.
People gathered outside while the police queued passengers to different destinations.
Announcements were made to maintain social distance as people crowded the path outside the railway station.
Shivani Chaube, a civilian services applicant who is staying in Mukherjee Nagar, expressed concern about her health during her return trip to Bilaspur.
“It was difficult for me to study in Delhi and return home. I am concerned about security precautions during the train journey with the epidemic unfolding in Delhi,” he said.
Railroad officials said all precautions have been taken to ensure passengers have a safe journey. Even the air conditioning in the train cars was adjusted to help circulate more fresh air, they said.
“The air conditioning units in the coaches have been modified to maximize fresh air. All passengers are being inspected and floor markings have been made for social distancing on the platforms and throughout the passenger area” said a senior railroad official.
Passengers were forced to disinfect their hands before entering the raliway station. In addition, they were asked to bring their own sheets and blankets, as well as food and clean water for the trip.
Swami H B, a bakery employee in Gurgaon, arrived at the station hours before the departure of his train to Bangalore at 9.15 pm.
“I obtained the reservation with great difficulty. My three friends and I in Gurgaon and Bengaluru obtained the reservation after spending hours on the IRCTC website. I arrived early because I had to travel from Gurgaon and also because I cannot afford to miss the train,” he said.
He said he was concerned about his onward journey from Bangalore to his hometown of Chikmagalur.
“I can be quarantined in Bangalore. But, if the authorities allow it, I will make some arrangements to get to Chikmagalur,” said Swami.
A total of 1,162 passengers have been booked on the New Delhi-Bengaluru special train.
Syed Yasir, a private retail sector executive, said he will finally be able to go to Nagpur to be with his family in Eid.
Walking with his luggage on Chelmsford Road to the railway station, he said he preferred to arrive earlier than the railway advised 90 minutes before the train’s departure, to ensure that he did not miss the train.
“Due to the blockade, it is difficult to travel. Also, one cannot afford to miss the train at those times,” he said as he secured his steps.
Surendra, an engineer with a power supply, was on a mission to Agra when the government announced the shutdown. After the railways decided to resume passenger train services, he arrived in Delhi in a private vehicle to board the train to Bangalore.
“I was on a mission in Agra where I was trapped. I am coming from Agra in a private vehicle and now I am going to board the train to Bangalore,” said Surendra, who identified by her first name.
Rail officials said a total of 3,461 passengers had reservations on the three trains scheduled to leave Delhi on Tuesday.
Video: Blockade: passenger train services resume in India
The railways said that three special AC trains will leave the New Delhi railway station for Dibrugarh, Bengaluru and Bilaspur.
The train to Dibrugarh in Assam He departed at 4.45pm, while the one who left for Bilaspur at Chhattisgarh departed at 4pm. The train to Bangalore in Karnataka will leave the station at 9.15pm.
The national carrier is taking all safety precautions, such as following social distancing and providing hand sanitizers to passengers to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.
The resumption of train services has been a great relief to many stranded in the national capital due to the national blockade.
For Ram Vilas, 70, a craftsman of metal statues, the main concern is his journey from Patna station to his home in Madhubani in Bihar.
“I came to Delhi for a craft fair in February. After the closure was imposed, I was stranded with my team of seven craftsmen at Pragati Maidan. The train ticket is a great relief, but my concern is to get to Madhubani later getting out of the train in Patna, “he said.
A total of 1,122 passengers were booked on the New Delhi-Dibrugarh special train which left at 4:45 p.m. The New Delhi-Bilaspur train, which left at 4 pm, had 1,177 passenger reservations, railway officials said.
The Chelmsford road leading to the New Delhi railway station was heavily blocked by the police, as those who had to catch the trains walked with their luggage or hired rickshaws.
The entrance to the railway station was also blocked by the police.
People gathered outside while the police queued passengers to different destinations.
Announcements were made to maintain social distance as people crowded the path outside the railway station.
Shivani Chaube, a civilian services applicant who is staying in Mukherjee Nagar, expressed concern about her health during her return trip to Bilaspur.
“It was difficult for me to study in Delhi and return home. I am concerned about security precautions during the train journey with the epidemic unfolding in Delhi,” he said.
Railroad officials said all precautions have been taken to ensure passengers have a safe journey. Even the air conditioning in the train cars was adjusted to help circulate more fresh air, they said.
“The air conditioning units in the coaches have been modified to maximize fresh air. All passengers are being inspected and floor markings have been made for social distancing on the platforms and throughout the passenger area” said a senior railroad official.
Passengers were forced to disinfect their hands before entering the raliway station. In addition, they were asked to bring their own sheets and blankets, as well as food and clean water for the trip.
Swami H B, a bakery employee in Gurgaon, arrived at the station hours before the departure of his train to Bangalore at 9.15 pm.
“I obtained the reservation with great difficulty. My three friends and I in Gurgaon and Bengaluru obtained the reservation after spending hours on the IRCTC website. I arrived early because I had to travel from Gurgaon and also because I cannot afford to miss the train,” he said.
He said he was concerned about his onward journey from Bangalore to his hometown of Chikmagalur.
“I can be quarantined in Bangalore. But, if the authorities allow it, I will make some arrangements to get to Chikmagalur,” said Swami.
A total of 1,162 passengers have been booked on the New Delhi-Bengaluru special train.
Syed Yasir, a private retail sector executive, said he will finally be able to go to Nagpur to be with his family in Eid.
Walking with his luggage on Chelmsford Road to the railway station, he said he preferred to arrive earlier than the railway advised 90 minutes before the train’s departure, to ensure that he did not miss the train.
“Due to the blockade, it is difficult to travel. Also, one cannot afford to miss the train at those times,” he said as he secured his steps.
Surendra, an engineer with a power supply, was on a mission to Agra when the government announced the shutdown. After the railways decided to resume passenger train services, he arrived in Delhi in a private vehicle to board the train to Bangalore.
“I was on a mission in Agra where I was trapped. I am coming from Agra in a private vehicle and now I am going to board the train to Bangalore,” said Surendra, who identified by her first name.
Rail officials said a total of 3,461 passengers had reservations on the three trains scheduled to leave Delhi on Tuesday.
Video: Blockade: passenger train services resume in India
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