Lok Sabha Question No. 1772 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Resumption of Train Services
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao, Ramya  Haridas, Rajeshbhai Naranbhai Chudasama

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1772

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## RESUMPTION OF TRAIN SERVICES

1772.     SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN: MS. RAMYA HARIDAS:

SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways had stopped all rail services from the end of
- March 2020 due to COVID-19 Pandemic;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the total loss suffered by the Railways due to cancellation of trains;
- (d)  whether  the  Railways  has  started  some  special  trains  for  the stranded passengers in the month of May 2020; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  time  by  which  full-fledged  train  services  are  likely  to  be
- resumed?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)    and  (b)  With  a  view  to  contain  the  spread  of  COVID-19  pandemic, Indian Railways discontinued the regular passenger train services w.e.f 23.03.2020.
- (c) Owing  to the discontinuance of passenger  services after the introduction  of  the  lockdown  to  contain  COVID-19  pandemic,  upto  the end of August, the number of originating passengers has been 1.27% of the corresponding period last year and freight loading has been 86.6% of the corresponding period.

Consequently,  the  traffic  revenue  of  Railways'  to  the  end  of  August \_41,844.31 Crore has declined by 42.3% over the corresponding

2020, at ₹

period last year. However, freight loading has picked up and in August, 2020, it has been 4% more than last year and 13% more in September, 2020 compared to corresponding month in last year.

(d)  Yes,  Sir.  Indian  Railways  resumed  the  operation  of  passenger  train services  w.e.f.  01.05.2020,  with  the  introduction  of  Shramik  special trains, in terms of the guidelines issued by Government. Keeping in view the  urgent  requirement  of  movement  of  stranded  persons,  Shramik specials  were  organized  in  a  mission  mode.    These  Shramik  specials were organized as 'trains on demand' as and when State Governments requisitioned these trains in accordance with the protocol and guidelines given by the Government.  In all, 4621 Shramik Special have been  operated  between  1st  May,  2020  to  31st  August,  2020  carrying 63.19 Lakh passengers to their home State.

(e)  Train  services  are  being  gradually  started,  in  phases,  as  special trains, as detailed below:-

- i. 15 pairs of Rajdhani specials with effect from 12.05.2020.
2. ii.
3. 100 pairs of Special trains with effect from 01.06.2020.
- iii. 705  Suburban  services  (Central  Railway-355  &  Western  Railway350) were started from 15.06.2020.
- iv. 43 pairs of special trains with effect from 12.09.2020.
6. v.
7. 20 pairs of trains with effect from 21.09.2020

Additional  Special  trains,  in  coordination  with  the  State  Governments, were  also  run  as  per  demand  for  Ganapati  festival,  and    IIT-JEE/NEET and  NDA  &  Naval  Academy  examinations  conducted  by  Union  Public Service Commission (UPSC).

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