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The Department Related Standing Committee for Railways, headed by former Union minister Radha Mohan Singh, met on Wednesday to focus on the impression of COVID-19 on India’s lifeline.
Railways was represented by Chairman of the Railway Board VK Yadav and 4 different officers from varied departments.
A slew of measures taken by the Railways ensured that regardless of lockdown, the operational providers remained undisrupted. Railway freight has additionally been rising persistently since May 2020 — 93.58 Metric Tonnes in June, 95.18 MT in July, 94.63 MT in August 102.30 in September and 108.26 MT in October.
“In August, September and October, we have loaded more than the corresponding months of the last year. On a cumulative basis, loading from April 1 till October 31 is 641.94 MT as compared to 680.78 MT during the same period last year and the shortfall has been reduced from the peak of 64.90 MT till July to 38.84 MT till October,” the division stated.
The officers additionally instructed the committee that so as to be sure that migrants reached dwelling safely throughout the nationwide lockdown, Shramik Special trains had been plied as per calls for of every state authorities. These trains carried 63.19 lakh passengers between May 1 and August 31.
Thereafter, 166 pairs of trains have been launched since September 23 for passenger journey objective and 213 pairs of competition particular trains throughout peak season.
Officials knowledgeable the committee that extreme impression on passenger enterprise has been noticed due to the pandemic because the variety of passengers in addition to income dropped drastically. However, restricted resumption of passenger trains and festive specials have helped Railways get well some income. All concessions had been withdrawn besides these for college kids, divyangs and sufferers.
In 2019-2020, passenger income of the Indian Railways stood at Rs 30,841 crore which was drastically diminished to Rs 2,920 crore in ongoing 2020- 2021.
The MPs requested Railway officers concerning the whole variety of Railway workers who’ve been affected by COVID-19. Officials stated the quantity stands at round 23,000 of whom about 700 workers succumbed to the virus.
The MPs additional requested the officers what’s being carried out about workers who misplaced their battle to the virus within the line of obligation. They had been knowledgeable that compensation was given following authorities pointers and a job was being provided to one of many relations. Just a few MPs advised to the Railways such sacrifices by the workers have to be obtain their due as is being carried out by some state governments.
Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant cited the instance of Maharashtra the place households of frontline staff who succumbed to COVID-19 got Rs 50 lakh as compensation.
The parliamentarians additionally requested s the officers to take a look at hiring skilled docs and specialists for Railway hospitals and enhance their infrastructure. Officials famous the recommendations given by the MPs.
Several members, together with Rajya Sabha MP from Samajwadi Party Ashok Siddharth, needed to know concerning the variety of passengers who died throughout journey amid the pandemic.
Members additionally requested the Railways to make clear how many individuals died within the trains and what number of passes on the railway platforms or station premises.
As the officers didn’t have this data accessible, they stated they might give a written response to this question to the committee.
The Railways additionally highlighted earlier than the committee about how this combat in opposition to the pandemic has not been a straightforward one and until date, each guideline is being duly adopted, together with social distancing and necessary masks for all.
Officials instructed the committee that the next steps are being taken for issuing tickets whereby solely reserved tickets are being dedicated. Reserved tickets are being issued on-line by means of its web site and software of the IRCTC.
In addition, reserved tickets are being issued by means of computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendras (YTSK), sure recognized publish places of work and Common Service Centres (CSC). There is an Advanced Reservation Period (ARP) of 120 days. Tatkal ticket reserving can also be permitted.
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