Jamshedpur, May 8: The South Eastern Railway ( SER ) has notified cancellation of four more special  trains due to low occupancy and operational constraints. As per notification  02021/02022 Howrah-Barbil- Jan Shatabdi Special which runs via Tatanagar will remain cancelled from Thursday, May 6.
 Another popular train between Jamshedpur and Kolkata- 02829/02830 Howrah-Tata- Steel Express which is being run as Covid-19 Special train will also remain cancelled from Thursday, May 6.
The 02849/02850 Hatia-Pune-Special will also remain cancelled from Hatia from May 7 and from Pune with effect from May 9.
According to the notification another train was discontinued. The 02257/02258 Howrah-Digha Special will remain cancelled from Thursday, May 6.
” We have decided to cancel trains due to fall in seat occupancy. Covid cases are on the rise and therefore people have restricted their travel plans, ” said an official .
He said Eastern Railway and other railway zones have also started cancellation of special trains owing to poor occupancy and operational related problems.
Railway sources said that the footfall of passengers in various railway stations under the jurisdiction of South Eastern Railway including Tatanagar, Ranchi , Hatia ,Chakradharpur and Rourkela have witnessed a considerable fall during the past one week following a spurt in Covid-19 cases.
Officials of Tatanagar railway station informed that the situation is being constantly monitored and coordinated at all levels. Desks have been set up all over the railway system and the staff has been sensitized and educated about the subject. The collaboration and coordination with the concerned health authorities are also being ensured.
Information, Education, & Communication (IEC) material (posters and pamphlets) regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) are being prominently displayed for awareness of the general public in local language at railway stations and in trains and are also being distributed to patients visiting hospitals and in Railway colonies. Audio and video clips are being played at railway stations to spread awareness. Public announcements are being made at stations.
In railway hospitals, persons with fever are being separated from other patients. Separate counter/ward with specific signage for fever cases has been established. The medical staff has been deployed in such areas as having proper protective gear.
