To prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Railways discontinued all regular passenger carrying train w.e.f. 23rd March, 2020. Indian Railways, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Government from time to time, resumed passenger train operations w.e.f. 1st May, 2020 by operating Shramik special trains followed by operation of Rajdhani Special services w.e.f. 12th May, 2020 and other special trains w.e.f 1st June, 2020. The number of services have been increased in a phased manner and presently, Indian Railways is operating 1328 Mail/Express Special Trains, 206 Passenger trains and 5350 Suburban Trains, which are in addition to 684 Festival Special also being operated.
Based on the request of the State Governments concerned, Indian Railways, w.e.f 11.11.2020, resumed suburban services, on a limited basis, over Eastern and South Eastern Railway serving the Kolkata area and that over Southern Railway serving Chennai area w.e.f 23.11.2020. 705 Suburban services in Mumbai area, (355 over Central Railway and 350 over Western Railway) were started w.e.f 15.06.2020 for limited class of passengers. However, w.e.f 01.02.2021, all categories of passenger have been permitted to travel in local train services in Mumbai area during the non-peak hours. Indian Railways is keeping a close watch on the prevailing situation and is resuming train operations in a phased manner.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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DJN/MKV