Train services restart all over the country after COVID-19 lockdown

690. DR. T. SUMATHY (a) THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN: 

SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESH NARAYAN DHANORKAR: 

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: 

(a) whether the Government has taken effective steps to open Passenger railway transport as its operations were halted amid the outbreak of the COVID-19; 

(b) if so, the details thereof and the approximate time by which the passenger train services are to be restored; 

(c) the appropriate action plan decided or to be taken by the Government to mitigate the problems faced by people once the train services restart all over the country after COVID-19 lockdown; 

(d) whether the Government has provided large number of rail coaches for temporary COVID-19 treatment and care units during the lockdown crisis; 

(e) if so, the details thereof and the utility status of such transformed rail coaches in the country, railway zone-wise; and 

(f) the approximate time by which these transformed coaches are likely to be put into passenger transport again? 

(a) to (f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. 

(a) to (c): In terms of Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines dated 01.05.2020 and based on requests from the State Governments, Indian Railways operated Shramik Special trains w.e.f. 01.05.2020. In order to gradually reintroduce passenger services, Indian Railways resumed passenger train operations by operating 15 pairs of special trains w.e.f. 12.05.2020 and by operating 100 pairs of trains w.e.f. 01.06.2020. Further, 43 pairs of special trains have been introduced 

w.e.f. 12.09.2020. At present, only special trains are being operated with limited stoppages, keeping in view the concerns and suggestions of the State Governments, to facilitate management of COVID-19 Pandemic protocol. 

(d) to (f): Yes, Sir. Indian Railways had converted 5231 Nos. of Non-AC ICF coaches into isolation coaches temporarily as COVID-19 isolation units during lockdown crisis. Zone wise status is as under-

SN

Zonal Railways

Nos. of Coaches Converted into isolation coaches.

1	Central Railway	482
2	Eastern Railway	380
3	East Central Railway	269
4	East Coast Railway	261
5	Northern Railway	540
6	North Central Railway	130
7	North Eastern Railway	217
8	Northeast Frontier Railway	315
9	North Western Railway	266
10	Southern Railway	573
11	South Central Railway	486
12	South Eastern Railway	338
13	South East Central Railway	111
14	South Western Railway	320
15	Western Railway	410
16	West Central Railway	133
Total		5231