Ministry of Railways, in consultation with ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW) and ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) has decided to start operations of 200 passenger train services from June 1, 2020 and bookings of the same began 10 am on May 21,2020.
These services shall be in addition to the existing Shramik special trains and special AC trains(30 trains). Only online E- Ticketing will be allowed and no tickets will be booked across the reservation counters on the stations. The maximum advance reservation period shall be 30 days. No tatkal and premium tatkal booking shall be permitted. No unreserved tickets will be issued and no tickets will be issued onboard to any passenger during the journey. First and the second ticket chart shall be prepared at least 4 hours and 2 hours respectively before the scheduled departure.
There will be no unreserved coach in the train. It will have both A/C and non A/C classes. Fare shall be normal except for General (GS) coaches, where second seating fare shall be charged and seats will be provided to all the passengers with confirmed tickets. All the passengers should wear face masks or covers while entering the stations as well as in the trains. They should reach the stations atleast 90 minutes early to facilitate thermal screening. Social distancing will be a must.
On arrival at their destination, passengers should follow the health protocol as prescribed by the destination state/UT. All quotas shall be permitted in these special trains. If a passenger is found symptomatic during screening, he/she shall not be allowed to board the train but full refund of the fare shall be provided under certain circumstances and procedures.
No catering charges shall be included in the fare. IRCTC shall make provisions for limited eatables and packaged drinking water on payment basis but only in limited trains having pantry car attached. However, passengers are encouraged to carry their own eatables and water. Vending units at the stations will remain open. Linen, blankets and curtains will not be provided inside the trains. All the passengers must use the Aarogya Setu app. As per the MHA guidelines, the movement of the passengers as well as the drivers transporting them to and fro the stations shall be allowed on the basis of confirmed e-ticket.