SER takes comprehensive measures to stave off spread of COVID-19 as passenger count sees drastic fall

Kolkata: South Eastern Railway (SER) is taking comprehensive measures for prevention of Coronavirus infection as passenger count decreases drastically. "The number of passengers and the revenue is decreasing," said Bidhan Chandra, public relations officer, SER.

According to Indian Railway sources, due to low occupancy several trains are being cancelled and the revenue is also decreasing. The cancellations may lead to losses over Rs 450 crore in the month of March alone.

A passenger of New Delhi-Sealdah Rajdhani Express had to deboard the train at Gaya, following symptoms of Coronavirus. While other passengers on the train were physically screened after arrival of the train at Sealdah, none of them were found positive. So, they were allowed to leave for their destinations on Friday.

SER has also geared up its entire machinery to take comprehensive measures for prevention of Coronavirus infection. Elaborate measures and awareness campaigns have been undertaken throughout SER's jurisdiction over its four divisions, namely Kharagpur, Adra, Chakradharpur and Ranchi, to fight the spread of Coronavirus.

SER has also set up approximately 1,000 quarantine beds in the railway's four divisions. This apart, 80 isolation beds have been prepared to combat Coronavirus in SER's seven hospitals.

If situation demands, this may be extended to the general public. 18 fever clinics are operational at different railway hospitals. Posters, banners, stickers and leaflets on do's and don'ts

have been prepared and distributed at various places like offices, stations, railway colonies and trains for mass awareness of railway personnel and passengers.

Announcements through public address system are being made frequently at all stations under SER jurisdiction in different languages, regarding precautions to be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Videos are also being shown at major stations to create awareness among passengers.

Meanwhile, in view of Sunday's 'Janata Curfew', SER on Friday announced that no trains will start from their originating stations between 4 am and 10 pm on March 22.

The trains that have started from their originating station and are on run before 4 am of March 22, 2020, will be allowed to run up to their destination stations.

Eastern Railway announced that from 7 am to 9 pm on March 22, Howrah–Azimganj Kaviguru Express, Howrah–Malda Town Intercity Express and 53049 Howrah–Mokama Passenger will remain cancelled. EMU services will be available in Howrah and Sealdah Divisions to meet bare minimum transportation requirement of suburban passengers on Sunday.

There will be some additional cancellation of EMU locals on Sunday too. However, minimum EMU services will be available in both Howrah and Sealdah Divisions on Sunday.