Chennai, Oct 2 (UNI) Come October five, essential services

staff of the Tamil Nadu government would be allowed to travel

in Workmen EMU Special suburban trains being operated by

the Southern Railway.

Railway sources said on Friday that following a request from

the state government, it has been decided to permit essential

services staff, authorised by the government from Monday

onwards, in EMU workmen specials.

The details of the train services will be displayed at the stations.

The State Government has nominated an official as the Nodal

Officer for this purpose to authorise and issue specific travel

permission to essential services staff to travel in the special

EMU trains in suburban sections.

The specific travel permission would have details such as

Name, Designation, department /Office etc. This travel

permission in original will be accepted by the Railways

only when presented along with the photo ID Card of the

person issued by his/her office.

Tickets would be issued only to the essential services staff

authorised by the Nodal officer.

Both single journey and season tickets will be issued at the

booking counters available at all suburban stations through

UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System).

There will be two levels of checks of passengers at stations.

The first check will be done by the Government Railway Police

(GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel at the

entry of railway stations and the second at the entry to the

platforms by the Railway ticket checking staff.

Passengers were advised to adhere to the Covid-19 precautions

like wearing of face mask, social distancing, etc., while travelling

on trains and also at stations.