Railways to run 696 suburban services in West Bengal from Nov 11: Piyush Goyal

Kolkata, Nov 9 (UNI) West Bengal’s chief secretary and home secretary today will have a virtual meeting with 10  district magistrates and SPs to discuss security arrangements and maintenance of cCovid-19 protocol in their respective railway stations as the Indian Railways have decided to run 696 suburban ( local) services in the state from November 11, first in nearly eight months.

Indian Railways have requested the state government to ensure adequate security measures once the local trains start running.
The railway gradually increased the fleet of the suburban services in views health protocol.

” Railways will resume suburban services in West Bengal from 11th
November. With adequate safety measures in place, this will enhance passenger convenience and facilitate smooth travel for the people,” Railways Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted on Sunday.

” Railways to run 696 suburban services in West Bengal from 11th
November,” Mr Goyal added. The DRM Howrah said, ” validity of season tickets for suburban trains which have expired will be extended to the extent of days lost. In Howrah division, the advance re-validation facility will commence from 08 00 hours from November 9, 2020, at the concerned station.”

Though the Indian Railways have been running goods trains, special
long-distance trains and DMUs for railway staff, but the local trains connecting this city with suburbs would run for the first time tomorrow. It has been suspended since March third week of 2020 to combat the spreading of coronavirus.

Consequent upon the request from Govt. of West Bengal, Eastern Railway will restore suburban train services w.e.f. 11.11.2020 to facilitate communication link of passengers. Resumption of train services will take place in a phased manner.

At the outset, it has been planned to restore 413 suburban trains over Sealdah Division and 202 over Howrah Division. Out of 413 trains in the Sealdah Division, 270 will ply on the Sealdah Main/North (including Circular Railway) and 143 in the Sealdah South section.

Out of 270 EMU services in the Sealdah Main/North sections including Circular Railway, 22 trains will run in Sealdah – Krishnanagar section, 24 in Sealdah – Naihati section, 10 in Sealdah – Ranaghat – Lalgola section, 26 in Sealdah – Hasnabad section, 8 in Sealdah – Barasat – Duttapukur section, 14 in Sealdah – Shantipur section, 14 in Sealdah – Kalyani Simanta section, 18 in Sealdah – Barrackpore section, 32 in Sealdah – Dankuni – Baruipara section, 24 in Sealdah – Ranaghat – Gede section, 13 in Sealdah – Ranaghat section, 17 in Ranaghat – Bangaon section, 39 in Sealdah – Bangaon section, 7 in Bangaon/Naihati – Dum Dum Jn. – Majerhat section and 2 trains in Sealdah – B B D Bag section.

Out of 143 trains across Sealdah South section, 27 trains will ply in Sealdah – Komagata Maru Budge Budge section, 21 trains in Sealdah – Lakshmikantapur – Namkhana section, 24 in Sealdah – Diamond Harbour section, 31 in Sealdah – Canning section, 19 in Sealdah – Sonarpur section and 21 trains in Sealdah – Sonarpur – Baruipur section.

In the Howrah Division, out of 202 suburban trains, 38 trains will run in Howrah – Bandel section, 10 in Howrah – Tarakeswar – Arambag – Goghat section, 12 in Howrah – Katwa section, 8 in Bandel – Katwa section, 19 in Howrah – Tarakeswar section, 20 in Howrah – Barddhaman Mainline section, 22 in Howrah – Barddhaman Chord line section, 18 in Bandel – Naihati section, 2 in Howrah – Baruipara section, 4 in Howrah – Masagram section, 2 in Howrah – Haripal section, 6 in Howrah – Srirampur section, 2 in Howrah – Pundooah section, 1 in Bandel – Pundooah section, 8 in Barddhaman – Balgona – Katwa section, 4 in Howrah – Chandanpur section, 2 in Howrah – Gurap section, 14 in Howrah – Seoraphuli section, 4 in Howrah – Belur Math section, 4 in Howrah – Singur section and 2 trains in Bandel – Bally section.

Time table of suburban train services resuming w.e.f. 11.11.2020 are available at any Railway station and Eastern Railway website.

The validity of suburban season tickets which have expired due to lockdown will be extended to the extent of days lost, at the booking counters of the concerned stations from 08:00 hrs. of 9.11.2020. Normal journey tickets will be available from booking counters from the day of commencement of EMU train services over ER w.e.f. 11.11.2020.

All the passengers are urged upon to maintain Covid-19 health & hygiene protocol including mandatory use of mask/face cover, sanitizer with the keeping of physical distancing as a means of combating the spread of COVID-19.

The validity of Suburban Season tickets which have expired due to lockdown will be extended to the extent of days lost.

Advance revalidation facilities will commence from 8 a. m. of 9.11.2020 for expired Season tickets at the concerned stations.

Passengers are requested to please contact the concerned booking counters of the stations for Revalidation of the Season tickets.
It is also requested to revalidate Suburban Season tickets before availing local train services.

Normal journey tickets will be available at booking counters from the
day of commencement of Suburban EMU train services over Eastern Railway i.e. from 11.11.2020.

Tickets will be available for travelling within Suburban section and Krishnanagar-Lalgola section only. Passengers are requested to please maintain physical distancing, avoid gathering, wear mask/face cover while in trains or at Railway stations and to follow the COVID 19 health and hygiene protocols.

Eastern Railway appeals to please cooperate towards maintaining uburban services for the convenience of commuters along with maintaining adequate safety with a view to resist the spread of COVID
19 pandemic.

Eastern Railway has laid great stress on the sanitisation of EMU coaches and cleanliness of station premises as a means towards combating Covid-19 virus.

All the EMU coaches have been thoroughly sanitized in both Howrah & Sealdah Divisions and for implementation of physical distancing, one seat in between passengers is CROSS MARKED (X).

Passengers are urged upon to maintain the seating discipline and avail alternate seats observing indication on seats for implementation of physical distancing during the journey.

Intensive cleanliness drives are being undertaken in the platforms, trains, tracks, circulating areas, yards, toilets, water vending points and passenger interfaces.

Passengers are requested to observe Covid appropriate behaviour and should avoid overcrowding, maintain physical distancing, use masks or face covers, carry hand sanitiser and not to avail train journey if they feel physically unwell.

ER is committed to providing train services while maintaining the safety of the passengers. Therefore, passengers cooperation in preventing COVID-19 is earnestly solicited.

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