Social distancing on track on board Mys-B’luru train

MYSURU: Train Mysuru-Bengaluru train service saw good patronage on Saturday, the second day of its service post-lockdown, with many passengers travelling. Railway authorities, however, ensured passengers maintained social distance during the journey.
Based on the feedback of passengers, TOI, in its Saturday edition, highlighted how social distancing was ignored on the first day, even when a few passengers were in the bogies. On Friday, only 63 persons travelled from Bengaluru to Mysuru, and just 59 from the other end.
A section of passengers was upset with the authorities for allotting tickets to all the three seats in the row, thereby not allowing the passengers to practise social distancing. Some passengers had also said how this would prove costly if any of them is infected.
To address those concerns, the railway authorities on Saturday ensured safe distance between the passengers. Officers were seen telling passengers to maintain safe distance by leaving the middle seat unoccupied. On their part, the passengers sat only at the two ends of the seat.
There will be no service on Sunday due to 36-hour lockdown — from 7pm on Saturday to 7am on Monday.
Priya Shetty, divisional commercial manager (Mysuru division), told STOI: “Compared to Friday, there was good response on Saturday with 183 passengers travelling from Bengaluru to Mysuru, and 194 from Mysuru to Bengaluru. We also ensured that people kept social distance from one other.”
‘Step out only if necessary’
Meanwhile, Mysuru city police commissioner Chandragupta on Saturday has directed people to observe total lockdown on Sunday.
Accordingly, permission has been given only for essential and emergency services — sale of fruits and vegetables, hospitals and clinics and ambulance service. People can go to hospitals for medical check-ups and treatments. Weddings can also be host, but with prior permission.
However, stepping out of house for no strong reasons has been restricted. Bars, saloons and parks will be shut, and autorickshaws and cabs will be off the roads. People can use their private vehicles only for emergency purposes.
“Security at check-posts will be tightened,” he added.