All train services have been suspended from 00:00 to 22:00 hours on March 22. This means that there will be no/bare minimum train services from 12 am to 10 pm on Sunday, March 22. The 'Janata Curfew' is due to be held on the same day. The announcement about the train services was made by the Ministry of Railways in a release on Friday evening. PM Modi in his address to the nation on March 19 had appealed everyone to observe a 'Janata Curfew' on March 22 between 7 am and 9 pm.
Impact on Mumbai local trains:
The ministry has said that Mumbai local train services will be reduced to "bare minimum level". The railways has said the services will be run only to cater to "essential travel requirements".
All train services suspended between midnight and 10:00 pm on Sunday, March 22
The decision was taken by the Railway Board after a meeting with General Managers of zonal railways to contain the spread of novel coronavirus in India.
On Friday, 25 fresh cases were recorded in India, taking the total affected persons to 223. At least four persons have died, with one death each in Punjab, Maharashtra, Delhi and Karnataka.
The circular said that railway divisions should keep a watch and empty trains could be terminated short of their final destinations, if required.
The railways said that approximately 1,300 mail or express trains will remain cancelled on March 22.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged people to opt for a 'janata curfew' on Sunday from 7 am to 9 pm.
The railways said that suburban services in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Secundrabad shall be reduced to bare minimum only to cater to essential travel requirements.
The zonal railways authorities, as per the assessment of local conditions and requirements, will decide on the number of services.
Passengers alighting en route from trains already on way to their final destinations, and desirous of staying at those stations may be accommodated in waiting halls and rooms and concourse without overcrowding.
"Drinking water and refreshments (on payment) shall be arranged for to cater to the needs of such passengers," the circular said.
The circular asked zonal authorities to keep a close watch on the situation at major railway stations and press into service special trains wherever needed to clear the rush of passengers.
The railways has till now cancelled over 245 pairs of trains amid the coronavirus crisis across the country.
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