Lok Sabha Question No. 2752 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-10
Subject: Operation of Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Lallu Singh, Rakesh Singh, Behanan Benny, Ajay (Teni) Misra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2752 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2021

## OPERATION OF TRAINS

†2752.  SHRI LALLU SINGH: SHRI RAKESH SINGH: SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISRA TENI

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the mail/express trains stopped/ suspended in the country due to corona;
- (b)
- the details of those trains that have resumed operation, Zone-wise;
- (c) whether the passengers have to pay extra fare on travel by special trains instead of the regular trains and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to restart these trains in view of the decrease in corona cases;
- (e) if so, the details thereof including that of West Central Railway zone, Jabalpur; and
- (f) the time by which operation of the rest of the trains are likely to be
- resumed?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) & (b) To prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Railways discontinued all regular passenger carrying trains w.e.f. 23 rd  March, 2020 as  per  the  extant  guidelines  issued  by  Government  of  India.    In accordance with the further guidelines issued by the Government from time to time, Indian Railways resumed passenger train operations w.e.f. 1 st  May, 2020 by operating Shramik special trains followed by operation of  Rajdhani  Special  services  w.e.f.  12 th   May,  2020  and  other  special trains w.e.f 1 st  June, 2020. The number of services has been increased in a  phased  manner  and  as  on  05.03.2021,  Indian  Railways  is  operating 2288  Mail/Express  Special  Trains,  650  Passenger  trains  and  5362 Suburban Trains. (c)  During  Pre-  COVID  time  for  long  distance  passengers  two  types  of train services were running over Indian Railways (i) Regular time tabled trains and (ii) Special trains during festivals / peak demand period /rush period etc.  Further, Special trains were of three types (1) Second class unreserved specials on normal fare (2) Special trains on special charges on normal fare plus special charges (10% in second class reserved and 30%  in  other  classes  subject  to  prescribed  maximum  and  minimum limit),  and  (3)  Suvidha  Specials  on  minimum  tatkal  fare  and  maximum three times of tatkal fare.  For both special trains on special charges and Suvidha  trains,  fare  for  second  class  unreserved  was  normal  second class Mail/Express superfast fare. In  view  of  health  advisory  due  to  COVID-19,  regular  train  services  are running  as  COVID  specials  on  the  fare  as  applicable  for  regular  time Tabled  trains.    During  COVID  times  as  passenger  demands  are  not uniform  over  different  sectors,  some  special  trains  on  special  charges have  been  introduced  to  meet  the  additional  demands  over  different sectors  as  per  already  published  fare  for  special  trains  on  special charges  vide  (2)  above.    Further,  unreserved  second  class  has  been declared as reserved second class in view of pandemic situation. (d)  to  (f)  Indian  Railways  is  keeping  a  close  watch  on  the  prevailing situation and is resuming train operations in a phased manner. Till such time,  special  trains,  keeping  in  view  the  concerns  and  suggestions  of State Governments are being operated.  As on 05.03.2021, West Central Railway has restored 34 pairs of trains.

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