Indian Railways has made an important clarification with regards to reservation of passenger train services on the network for the post covid-19 lockdown. As per the national transporter, few media reports have claimed that Indian Railways has begun train reservations for the post lockdown period.
The Railway Ministry said, “The reports by a section of media stating that Indian Railways has “resumed” ticket bookings from 15 April 2020, is not correct.”
It further mentioned that the reservation for train journeys post the lockdown period was never stopped and is not related to any new announcement. The ticket bookings of passenger train services never stopped except for the nationwide lockdown period from 24 March 2020 to 14 April 2020. Since the advance reservation period in Indian Railways for taking reserved ticket is 120 days, ticket bookings for 15 April 2020 & beyond were made open much before the lockdown period.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all passenger train services on Indian Railways network such as Premium train services, Mail or Express train services, Passenger train services, Suburban train services, Kolkata Metro Rail and also Konkan Railway services have been cancelled till 14 April 2020.
However, freight trains operations are continued so as to ensure the supply of essential commodities across the nation. Adding to it, Indian Railways has deployed staff at several good sheds, control offices & railway stations. They are working on a 24X7 basis for ensuring that the supply of essential commodities does not get affected amid the lockdown period.
Presently, due to the cancellation of all passenger train services & ticketing of passenger trains up to 14 April 2020, the national transporter is granting full refund to passengers for all passenger train tickets which includes both, counter booked PRS tickets & e-tickets for journey from 21 March - 14 April 2020.
