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Restarting suburban train services in Chennai not certain
Posted on: 12/May/2020 10:13:26 AM
Yesterday, 11th May, the railway staffs took part in the Electric Traction Day in a low key manner. It is important to note that on 11th May in the year 1931 Chennai city’s first suburban train was operated.
Strict adherence to social distancing in the suburban trains would not be possible and this was as per a railway manager. He added that operating express or mail trains for reserved passengers were different. He highlighted that there was no reservation in the suburban trains. Important point is restriction of passengers on board suburban trains would be a difficult task.
It was later pointed out by an officer belonging to the railways that by restarting the EMU services normalcy would be resumed because the ticket counters must be opened for operating the suburban trains. The government doesn’t want to open the ticket counters at the railway stations because by opening the counters people would start queuing up outside the ticket counters. It is said that just similar to reserved tickets, restriction to season ticket holders in the suburban trains would be there.
To avoid many people queuing outside the ticket counter at the stations, government could consider the extension of ticket validity. The decision fully depends on the government and the operations would be resumed if the government advises the officials of the railways.
A train guard on Chennai Beach- Tambaram section revealed that policing EMU`s with RPF staff would not be easy. He explained about how most of the travelers were unorganized workers and how it was not easy to restrict them. Livelihood of these must be taken into consideration. He concluded that maintaining social distancing by restricting passenger occupancy aboard local trains was very difficult.
