COVID-19| Janta Curfew: Indian Railways cancels all passenger trains

Indian Railways had decided to cancel all passenger trains originating at 12:00 am on March 22, the day of Janta Curfew. The decision has been taken in view of the fact that the demand for rail travel will be vastly reduced during the Janta Curfew, said Ministry of Railways said in a statement on Friday.

"All passenger trains originating between midnight ofMarch 21/22 to 2200 hours of March 22 shall not run. However, the passengertrain services already on run at 0700 hours on the day will be allowed to runto the destinations. Divisions should keep a watch and trains which are emptycould be short terminated, if required," Indian Railways said in astatement.

Meanwhile, suburban train services in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Secunderabad shall be reduced to bare minimum levels only to cater to essential travel requirement. Approximately 1,300 long-distance mails, express and intercity trains originating between 4:00 am and 10:00 pm on March 22 will remain canceled. However, such trains that are running at 7:00 am will be allowed to reach their destinations.

In his address to the nation on Thursday, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi urged people to observe "Janata Curfew" on March 22from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Under Janta Curfew, the PM appealed people to stayaway from public places and self-isolate themselves in their homes.