Train passengers across India can book tickets online for popular services like Lucknow Mail, Godavari Express, Sabarmati Express, Purshottam Express and Brahmputra Mail among 200 AC and non-AC trains from today (Thursday) as railways partially restored regular passenger operations from 1 June.

Five Duronto and about 15 Jan Shatabdi service along with many other popular trains including Sampark Kranti Express, Konarak Express, Shramjeevi Express, Mahamana Express, Awadh Express and Golden Temple Mail are schedule to start operation as the railways released the list of trains to resume service from next month.

Limping back to normalcy in a calibrated manner, the railways has also allowed to start intra-state train service in Karnataka, while it has to open all static catering and vending units, bookstalls, chemist shops at all railway stations with immediate effect.

In case of food plaza and refreshment rooms, cooked items will be served as takeaway only.

These 200 trains have both AC and non-AC coaches, and tickets can be booked through online only, said a railway official, adding there will be no unreserved coach in the train.

The railways has made it clear that only online e-ticketing will be done through IRCTC website or through its mobile app. No tickets will be booked across the reservation counter at any railway station. Booking of tickets through ticketing agents are also not permitted.

One can book the ticket in 30 days in advance while (reservation against cancellation) RAC and waiting list will be generated as per the rules. However, waiting list ticket holders shall not be permitted to board the train.

No unreserved tickets will be issued and no tickets will be issued onboard to any passenger during the journey. No tatkal and premium tatkal booking will be permitted for these trains.

First chart will be prepared at least four hours before scheduled departure and second chart will be prepared at least two hours before scheduled departure. Only online current booking will be permitted in between first and second chart preparation.

All passengers will be compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the train. Passengers with confirmed tickets will be allowed to enter the station.

All passengers must wear face covers/masks at the entry and during travel.

The passengers must reach the station at least 90 minutes in advance to facilitate thermal screening at the station. Only passengers who are found asymptomatic will be permitted to travel.

Passengers must observe social distancing norms both at the station and on trains.

On arrival at their destination, the passengers will have to adhere to health protocols prescribed by the destination state.

The railways has allowed all quotas to be permitted in the special trains as has been permitted in regular trains.

As far as concessions are concerned, only four categories of divyangjan and 11 categories of patient concessions are permitted in these special trains.

If during screening, a passenger has very high temperature/symptoms of Covid-19 etc, he will not be allowed to travel despite having confirmed tickets.

There will be no catering charges included in the fare. Provision for pre-paid meal booking, e-catering are not allowed in the trains.

However, IRCTC will make provision for limited eatables and packaged drinking water on payment basis only in limited trains, having pantry car attached. Information to this effect will be made available to passengers during time of booking ticket.

Passengers are encouraged to carry their own food and drinking water.

No linen, blankets and curtains will be provided inside the train. Passengers are advised to carry their own linen for the travel. The temperature inside AC coaches will be suitably regulated for this purpose.

Zonal railways have been instructed to ensure that there are separate entry and exit gates at railway stations to the extent feasible so that there is no face to face movement of passengers.

Zonal railways will be guided by standard social distancing guidelines at stations and on trains and observe the safety, security and hygiene protocols.

According to the guidelines, all passengers are required to download and use the Aarogya Setu app.

Sampark Kranti Express

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