Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, May 2

Covid-19 is casting its long shadow over rail traffic in the region as majority of people are staying away from social, religious or other functions and have put off their travel plans. Northern Railway authorities have decided to temporarily suspend several trains, including 02013/14 New Delhi-Amritsar-New Dellhi Shatabdi Express from today.

The pair of Shatabdi Express (02013/14) from Amritsar to Delhi was restored only on April 11 this year after a gap of a year. It was temporarily discontinued owing to the Covid-induced lockdown and farmers’ agitation.

Railways said the suspension was necessitated due to low occupancy and other operational reasons and the disruption would continue till further notice.

In addition to the pair of Shatabdi Express, the Railways have also suspended some more trains. These are 02045/46 New Delhi-Chandigarh-New Delhi Shatabdi Express (from May 1), 09241/42 Indore-Udhampur-Indore Special Express (from May 3), 09307/08 Indore-Chandigarh-Indore Special Express (from May 6), 09325/26 Indore-Amritsar-Indore Special Express (from May 4) and 09025/26 Bandra Terminus-Amritsar-Bandra Terminus Covid Special Express.