New Delhi:Â Not wearing masks on railway premises and in trains can attract a fine of up to Rs 500, with the national transporter now incorporating it as an offence under the Railway Act, the government said in its notification.
The Ministry of Railways on Thursday extended the Covid-related guidelines for six more months or till further instructions.
“Passengers are requested to read the health advisory guidelines issued by different states before the commencement of their journey to these states,” the Indian Railways wrote on Twitter.
This comes at a time when India has reported 22,431 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, 19% higher than yesterday’s figure when the country reported 18,833 Covid cases. About 318 deaths were recorded during the same period, according to the Health Ministry.
With the addition of the new coronavirus infections, the country’s tally of COVID-19 cases stands at 3,38,94,312, while the death count climbed to 4,49,856. The daily rise in new coronavirus infections remained below 30,000 for the 13th straight day.
The Indian Railways had halted most of its normal train operations–both sub-urban and inter-state following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic is now fading away the Indian Railways is looking to restart normal train operations across India.
In another development, The Indian Railways is looking to restart normal train operations to West Bengal ahead of the occasion of Durga Puja, Railway Board Chairman Suneet Sharma said at a press conference on October 6.
Sharma said that in order to meet the rising demand from travellers ahead of the festival season of Durga Puja and Dussehra the Indian railways is working on a plan to restart suburban local trains and state trains in Kolkata and West Bengal.
As part of its plan, the Indian Railways has launched two more trains on the occasion of Durga Puja. The new trains will run between Sealdah-New Jalpaiguri and Howrah-New Jalpaiguri.
The date of booking for the puja special trains will be notified.
