India to ‘Gradually’ Restart Rail Operations in Lockdown Easing

Some 30 train journeys — 15 pairs of return trips — will run from the capital New Delhi to other cities including Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, Indian Railways said late Sunday.

AFP / Arun SANKARStranded migrants in Chennai, in southeastern India, prepare to board a special train after the government eased a nationwide coronavirus lockdown

“It will be mandatory for the passengers to wear face cover and undergo screening at departure and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the train.”

The vast train network, which had carried more than 20 million passengers daily, was halted in late March as India imposed a strict lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.

AFP / NARINDER NANUIndia Railways stopped operating in late March 2020 due to the coronavirus lockdown, but a few trains have been available to help migrant workers who lost their jobs return home

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted Sunday that up to 300 special trains catering to migrants can run every day.

“I appeal to all the states to give permission to evacuate and bring back their stranded migrants so that we can get all of them back to their homes in the next 3-4 days itself,” he added.

AFP / Arun SANKARLocal media reported some provinces were charging for the rail tickets, which most migrants can’t afford

More than 5,150 railway carriages have already been put in place at 215 stations in main cities to be used as coronavirus isolation wards on wheels.

The first patients could board them as soon as next week.

AFP / NARINDER NANUIndia’s railways ministry said that 20,000 train coaches were being reserved to serve as coronavirus wards

Authorities on Sunday reported 62,939 COVID-19 cases and 2,109 deaths, with recent days having seen record jumps.

While the number of deaths is low compared to the United States and the worst-hit European nations, health specialists say India’s pandemic curve may only peak in June-July.