In the wake of the Janata Curfew on the 22nd of March, all passenger train services would be closed.
No train would originate from any railway station in India from 12 midnight to 10:00 P.M., on the 22nd of March.
The Railway authorities issued a notice regarding the same on the evening of the 20th of March.
The issued order read, “All passenger trains originating between midnight of March 21/March 22 to 22:00 hours of March 22 (approximately 2,400 services) shall not be run. However, the passenger train services already on run at 0700 hours on the day will be allowed to run to the destinations. Divisions should keep a watch and trains which are empty could be short terminated, if required.”
Besides, Suburban services in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Secunderabad should be reduced to minimum and would only be available for essential travels.
The order also said, “Adequate arrangements may be made to facilitate hassle free refund to passengers affected by train cancellations. Zonal railways will keep a close watch on the situation at major stations and where needed order special trains to clear rush of passengers who may be stranded at stations despite advance public notice.”
On the 20th of March, the Indian Railways cancelled 245 trains in the wake of the Janata Curfew.
The Janata Curfew, on the 22nd of March would begin from 7:00 A.M., to 9:00 P.M. The 14 hours curfew would help to test the ability of India to take measures against the pandemic disease, when the rush on the streets would be nearly zero.
The 1.3 billion citizens of India are asked to perform their duties towards the Nation by staying at their houses and helping the Government of India to fight the situation.