Trains set in motion across country

Limited services resume with Covid-19 SOPs in place

RAWALPINDI:  

The Pakistan Railways resumed limited train services on Wednesday, 56 days after they were suspended to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections.

Pakistan Express, the first train to restart its operations, left for Karachi from Rawalpindi at 6am carrying 300 passengers. An hour later, Railcar with 400 passengers on board left from Rawalpindi to Lahore. Then at 8am, Tezgam Express left for Karachi from Rawalpindi carrying 300 passengers.

Later in the day, Subak Kharam Express left for Rawalpindi from Lahore, Karakorum Express, Pak Business Express and Shah Hussain Express departed Lahore for Karachi. Awam Express left Karachi for its journey to Peshawar. Train operations also kicked off at the Quetta railway station.

Food stalls at railway stations have been allowed to reopen. Strict measures to ensure compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent the coronavirus spread were taken. Passengers were not allowed to board the trains without a mask.

Over 1,000 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Sindh

Disinfectant walkthrough gates were installed at railway stations and passengers were checked with thermal scanners. One passenger with a fever at the Rawalpindi railway station was examined by a doctor and then allowed to travel after being declared fit.

Passengers could enter the station only one hour before the departure of the train while their families were not allowed to enter.

Divisional Superintendent Munawar Shah told The Express Tribune that they were focusing on ensuring social distancing. He explained that each coach of a train had 88 seats of which 40% would remain vacant. Each train is travelling with nine coaches.

“There is zero tolerance for not following the SOPs,” he said.

The penalty for violating the SOPs for the first time is a Rs500 fine, Rs1,000 for the second time and after the third time, the passenger would be taken off the train at the next station. The drivers, carriage staff and coolies are required to wear masks and gloves. The cleaning staff of trains has been provided with complete protective kits.

On May 18, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said train operations would resume from Wednesday as people stuck in different cities due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown were desperate to return to their hometowns to celebrate Eid with their families.

SC ‘fully cognisant’ of Covid-19 menace in Pakistan

Rashid said people had made advance bookings worth Rs240 million because of Eid and were constantly in contact with the railways for the resumption of train service. “If the train service is not restored, the railways will have to refund the payments.”

On precautionary measures taken against the coronavirus, he said: “Trains have already been disinfected and the staff members briefed regarding the SOPs. We do realise that resumption of train services will multiply our responsibilities in terms of ensuring safety and wellbeing of passengers. However, we are ready to perform our duties.”