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NEW DELHI: One of the world’s largest train networks will “gradually” restart operations starting Tuesday as India eases its coronavirus blockade, as the number of cases exceeds 60,000 with more than 2,000 deaths.
Around 30 train trips, 15 pairs of return trips, will be made from the capital New Delhi to other cities, such as Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, Indian Railways said Sunday May 10.
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“Indian Railways plans to gradually restart passenger train operations from May 12, 2020 … Thereafter, Indian Railways will begin more special services on new routes,” the ministry of railways added in a statement.
“Passengers will be required to cover their faces and undergo screening tests at departure and only asymptomatic passengers will be able to board the train.”
The vast train network, which had transported more than 20 million passengers daily, was halted in late March when India imposed a tight blockade to stop the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.
TRAINS FOR MIGRANTS
Since the beginning of May, the government said some 366 special trains carrying up to 1,200 passengers on each service have operated to help poor rural migrant workers who lost their city jobs in the shutdown to return to their villages.
Railways Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted on Sunday that up to 300 special trains serving migrants can run every day.
“I call on all states to give permission to evacuate and bring back their stranded migrants so that we can take them home in the next 3-4 days,” he added.
Local media reported that some provinces were charging for train tickets, which most migrants cannot afford.
Some workers have resorted to walking home on foot for hundreds of miles, with dozens dying on their journey from exhaustion or accidents, according to reports.
The railway ministry added that 20,000 wagons were reserved to serve as coronavirus rooms.
More than 5,150 railway carriages have already been installed at 215 stations in major cities to be used as coronavirus isolation rooms on wheels.
The first patients could board them as early as next week.
India has begun easing its blockade, which will be lifted on May 17, but interstate public transportation and domestic and international flights have remained grounded so far.
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Authorities reported 62,939 COVID-19 cases and 2,109 deaths on Sunday, and record jumps were recorded in recent days.
While the death toll is low compared to the United States and the worst-hit European nations, health specialists say India’s pandemic curve can only peak in June-July.
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