Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced that it has started taking the destination address of all passengers booking online tickets to help the concerned administration with contract tracing in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
"With effect from 13th May, IRCTC has started taking the destination address of all passengers, booking online tickets. This will help us in contact tracing if required later," Indian Railways stated in a statement.
Meanwhile, Indian Railways cancelled all tickets booked to travel on or before June 30, 2020, except for special trains and Shramik trains which will ply as usual.
Refunds will be provided to all the customers who booked the tickets until June 30, 2020.
After almost two months of closure due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-necessitated nationwide lockdown, the Indian Railways has resumed its services, although partially, as fifteen pairs of special passenger trains are being allowed to run between New Delhi and different destinations (that is, 30 return journeys) from Tuesday.
The bookings for reservation in these trains were started yesterday and according to reports, the Indian Railways managed to sell tickets worth Rs 10 crore to around 54,000 passengers within hours of opening the portal.
Railways also issued new guidelines for traveling on these special trains asking passengers to carry their own food and linen and arrive at stations at least 90 minutes before departure for health screening.
According to the timetable issued by the Railways, the trains will run either daily, weekly, or bi-weekly from May 12 to 20 as of now. There are no trains scheduled on May 16 and May 19.
The Indian Railways had decided to operate the 'Shramik Special' trains subsequent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order regarding the movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students, and other persons stranded at different places.
These trains have ferried migrants to cities like Tiruchchirappalli, Titlagarh, Barauni, Khandwa, Jagannathpur, Khurda Road, Prayagraj, Chhapra, Balia, Gaya, Purnia, Varanasi, Darbhanga, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Jaunpur, Hatia, Basti, Katihar, Danapur, Muzaffarpur, Saharsa, etc.
In these 'Shramik Special' Trains, proper screening of passengers is ensured before boarding the train. During the journey, passengers are given free meals and water.