Pakistan Railways will restore its train operations with protective measures for passengers after lifting of the lockdown in the country.
It was decided in a meeting which was presided over by Pakistan Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed here on Friday. During the meeting it was decided that booking procedure would be carried out through online system.
The procedure of online booking would be completed 24 hours before the departure of the train. The railways administration was considering to operate 24 Up and Down long route special trains to facilitate passengers, however, the number of trains would be announced later.
Furthermore, it was decided that PR will install sanitizer walk-through gates at 40 different railway stations whereas the number of gates will be increased gradually and these gates would be manufactured at the railways factories. In the meeting it was decided that families would not be allowed to come to the railway stations to see off their relatives.
Entrance of non-related persons in the limits of 200 meters of the railway stations will be prohibited and booking in the trains would be blocked on 60 per cent of occupancy to ensure social distancing policy for every passenger.
The PR will take strict legal action against the passenger who would attempt to travel by any freight train. The passengers would be allowed to get on the platforms one hour before the departure of the train in case the federal government allowed restoration of the train operations.
The Railways also advised passengers to keep sanitizer, soap, mask and gloves with them and it would be ensured that all passengers are sanitized before they enter or leaving the railway stations.
The passengers have been requested to travel only in emergency with limited numbers and keep distance with others at the platforms.
During the meeting the divisional superintendents were directed to ensure provision of quality food products at the stalls situated at the railway stations and deploy medical officers where the trains would be stopped.