LAHORE: Train services on Wednesday resumed partially in the country after being suspended for two months amid COVID-19 pandemic.
The resumption of train operations was announced by Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Monday.
He said PM Imran Khan had allowed to partially resume train service from Wednesday on the condition that the SOPs were adhered to as the country battles the novel COVID-19.
Addressing a press conference the minister said no one will be permitted inside the stations without having a ticket.
He said about 7,000 police officers have been deployed at the railway stations in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Quetta.
Sheikh Rashid said during the first phase of resumption of operations, 30 trains will begin their journey from the provinces.
The first train departed from Rawalpindi from Karachi at 6:00 am, followed by one to Lahore at 7:00 am. The third train departed from Lahore for Rawalpindi at 7:30 am.
He said that hordes of people were waiting to visit their families on Eid, adding that trains will be overcrowded if they do not start functioning by this week.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Railways has issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for those travelling via trains.
According to a statement issued by Deputy Superintendent of Railways Amir Nisar, passengers have been directed to reach the station an hour earlier and no visitors will be permitted to enter the station premises for seeing off passengers.
“Only 60% of the passengers will fill a train, while 40% will remain empty”, the statement read. “The passengers will wear masks and the railways’ officials will provide them with sanitisers during the journey,” it added.
For a first-time violation of an SOP, there will be a fine of Rs 500 while for the second time there will be a fine of Rs1000, he said. Upon a third-time violation, the passenger will be off-loaded, according to the ministry.
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