In a significant alleviation to the travelers intending to go in the Tejas Express trains, the Indian Railway Catering And Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) after just about seven months is good to go to restart the activity of the two trains — Lucknow-New Delhi and Ahmedabad-Mumbai from October 17.
The IRCTC representative in an announcement said that for the administration of individuals and for obliging the developing traveler request because of the happy season, both the Tejas Express trains were required to restart activities from October 17.
The IRCTC had suspended the tasks of these two trains from March 19 taking into account the Covid-19 pandemic. The representative said that the activities of these two trains will begin subsequent to getting endorsement from the Railway Ministry.
He said the catering arm of the national transporter was making all-round preparations to ensure that the trains once started to match the expectation of the people in terms of levels of services and safety and health protocols amidst the ongoing pandemic.
“Every alternate seat will be kept vacant following the social distancing norms for the initial period,” the spokesperson said. He said that a Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) observing Covid-19 protocol has been issued to ensure the safety of the passengers.
“Passengers will not be allowed to exchange their seats once seated. Use of face covers/masks will be mandatory for passengers and staff.
The IRCTC had suspended the tasks of these two trains from March 19 taking into account the Covid-19 pandemic. The representative said that the activities of these two trains will begin subsequent to getting an endorsement from the Railway Ministry.
All travelers will install Arogya Setu app and the same shall be shown as and when demanded,” he said, adding that detailed instructions will be given to the passengers at the time of booking of the tickets.
He further said that all the passengers will be provided a Covid-19 protection kit, which will contain a bottle of hand sanitizers, one mask, one face shield and one pair of gloves. “All the passengers will go through thermal screening and hand sanitization process before entering the coach,” he said
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Keeping in mind the pandemic, the coach, including the pantry areas and lavatories will be thoroughly disinfected at regular intervals.
“The luggage and baggage of the passengers will be disinfected by a staff deputed for this purpose. Cleaning and regular disinfection of the frequently touched surface inside the coach will be done. The service trays and trolleys will also be disinfected,” he said.
Remembering the pandemic, the mentor, including the storeroom regions and latrines will be altogether sanitized at ordinary stretches.
"The gear and things of the travelers will be sterilized by a staff deputed for this reason. Cleaning and customary cleansing of the every now and again contacted surface inside the mentor will be finished. The administration plate and streetcars will likewise be sterilized," he said.
The representative said that the IRCTC has directed a broad preparing system to instruct and prepare its group of workers of the Tejas Trains to deal with the tasks of the trains and offer types of assistance as indicated by the 'new ordinary' in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and to follow the SOP guaranteeing traveler security.
The IRCTC dispatched its first Tejas Express train between Lucknow-New Delhi a year ago on 4th October 2019.
It began the second train between Mumbai-Ahmedabad prior this year. The IRCTC likewise dispatched its Kashi Mahakal Express between Varanasi-Indore in February this year.