The first batch of passenger trains will start plying from Delhi on May 12, in what will mark the resumption of train services in the country after the lockdown hiatus. Only online reservations will be accepted, the bookings for which will begin at 4 PM on May 11. According to a government press release, the trains will initially ply on 15 routes, including Mumbai Central, Howrah, Jammu Tawi, Patna, Ranchi and Dibrugarh among others. A Press Information Bureau (PIB) release said that 15 pairs of trains will ply between the national capital and the 15 destinations across the country.
"Indian Railways plans to gradually restart passenger train operations from 12th May, 2020, initially with 15 pairs of trains (30 return journeys). These trains will be run as special trains from New Delhi Station connecting Dibrugarh, Agartala, Howrah, Patna, Bilaspur, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Secunderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Madgaon, Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad and Jammu Tawi," said the release, shared by Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal.
The trains will be separate from 'Shramik Special' trains for stranded migrants, which will continue to ply as they are now, the Railways has said.
According to officials, the 15 pairs of trains will only comprise AC coaches, with fares equivalent to those of Rajdhani trains. No concession will be allowed on fares for these trains, as per officials.
All the ticket counters will be closed and tickets will only be available online, as per railway officials.
Officials said that wearing a mask will be necessary while travelling and all the passengers will be screened before letting them enter the train station. Passengers without a confirmed ticket won't be permitted to board the train.
