Indian Railways manages a train for 2 candidates | Photo credit: iStock Images
The traditional Kalka-Shimla line resumed services on Sunday after five months with two special passengers. The train from Solan to Shimla carried two candidates who were taking the National Defense Academy (NDA) exams today.
Amar Singh Thakur, chief commercial inspector of the Kalka-Shimla railway told ANI: “This special train was started in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide transportation to candidates taking the National Defense Academy exam ( NDA) from India which are being conducted by the All India Union Public Service Commission review. “
“Covering the distance of 47 kilometers, two passengers traveled on this train this morning. The same train would return at night and we are expecting more travelers,” Thakur said. This train has capacity for 248 passengers, he added.
Anurag Sharma, an applicant and passenger said: “I come from Solan to take the NDA exam. I decided to travel on this train because it is more comfortable and safer compared to the bus.”
Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that Central Railways of the Indian Railways will run 23 special trains for the convenience of candidates taking the National Defense Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA ). These fully booked special trains will run on September 4, September 5 and September 6.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is conducting the National Defense Academy (NDA) entrance exams today, days after the Joint (Main) Entrance Exam began across the country. The exam that was previously scheduled for April 19 was postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Compared to previous years, the NDA 1 and NDA 2 exams will be held on the same day due to the ongoing pandemic across the country.
