NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, OCT 16
As part of gearing up to meet the challenges in view of corona pandemic, the Railway Board has reviewed security, enforcement of COVID protocol, crowd management and other arrangements on Friday.
A release from Southern Railway said that the railway stations and trains will witness manifold increase in footfall during the upcoming festive season.
To face the challenges posed by increased footfall effectively, especially during the pandemic wherein COVID protocol also needs to be rigorously enforced, Chairman and CEO/Railway Board, Member (Operations and Business Development) and DG/RPF interacted with officers of the field formation at zonal and divisional levels through a video conference.
Intensive Awareness Campaign
Field formations were instructed to launch intensive awareness campaign among the travelling passengers regarding the guidelines issued by Railway administration to prevent the spread of corona virus in railway stations and trains. They were also asked to strictly enforce the COVID protocol.
“Meri Saheli’’ a new initiative for women safety launched
Since the footfall in stations and trains is slated to increase during the festival season, need was felt to launch a focused initiative across all zones for the safety and security of women passengers. To provide better safety and security to women travelling by trains, a new initiative “Meri Saheli” was launched. This initiative is aimed to instill a sense of security among women and respond effectively to any security related issues.
It was felt that offenders involved in human trafficking may try to indulge in trafficking of women and children taking advantage of the festive season rush as they are most vulnerable to this crime. Action plan to curb the menace of human trafficking during the upcoming festive season was discussed. It was decided that a sustained and concerted drive will be launched to identify and apprehend the traffickers.
Field formations have been directed to continue their drive against touts cornering reserved railway tickets and selling it to needy passengers at a premium rate.
RPF issues guidelines for travelers
Since the acts or omissions are likely to aid in the spread of corona virus, they will tantamount to interference with passenger amenities provided by the railway administration
Willful omission or neglect endangering or causing to be endangered the safety of any person or rash and negligent act or omission likely to endanger the safety of any person travelling or being upon any railway and may be punished with imprisonment and/or fine under section 145, 153 and 154 of Railway Act 1989
The general public is counselled to desist from the following acts or omission while being in railway stations, trains or other areas within the railway premises.
- Not wearing a mask or wearing a mask improperly.
- Not maintaining social distancing.
- Coming to railway area or station or boarding a train after having declared Covid Positive.
- Coming to railway area or station or boarding a train after giving samples for testing of corona virus and awaiting result.
- Boarding a train after having been denied to undertake travel by the health check up team at the railway station.
- Spitting or willful ejection of body fluid/waste in public area.
- Activities which may create unclean or unhygienic conditions or affect public health and safety in railway stations and trains.
- Not adhering to any of the guidelines issued by Railway administration for prevention of spread of corona virus.
- Any other act or omission likely to aid in spread of corona virus.
