Local Train  

 To regulate crowd, the South Eastern Railway has decided to run 14 EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) services from today (November 17) in addition to the existing 81 suburban trains that are running in its Howrah-Kharagpur section since the resumption of local train services in West Bengal.

In a meeting held with the officials of the state government, Eastern Railways and South-Eastern Railways on Thursday (November 12), the railway authorities have decided to increase the number of local trains during office hours in Kolkata.
 

As local train services resumed in Kolkata on Wednesday (November 11), passengers were seen flouting COVID-19 norms. They were seen jostling at several stations to catch the trains with compartments crammed. Doctors in the state expressed concern over flouting of COVID safety norms in suburban trains. 
 

The state government announced the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the resumption of local train services in West Bengal. The government has shared the responsibility between the authorities and the Railways. According to the SOP, the railways will make an adequate number of trains available as per the requirement, and sanitise coaches daily. 
 

In a meeting on Sunday (November 8), The Eastern Railway announced that it will start running 615 suburban services in its Howrah and Sealdah divisions from Wednesday. South Eastern Railway will run 81 services in its Kharagpur Division. Besides, seven local trains will run between Bangaon or Naihati, Dumdum, Majherhat and two local trains between Bibadibagh and Sealdah.
 

Local train services in West Bengal will resume from next Wednesday (November 11). After a meeting between railway officials and the state government in Nabanna on Thursday (November 5) to discuss the modalities of service resumption, it was decided that Eastern Railway and South- Eastern Railway will initially operate around 20%-25% of their pre-COVID services.

The West Bengal government and the Railways met again in Nabanna on Wednesday (November 4) to discuss the resumption of local train services in the state. After the meeting, it was decided that 230 local trains will be in service during office hours (morning and evening) daily. The number of trains will be minimised during the rest of the day. The local trains will not stop at every station. The trains will stop at important and big stations.

The West Bengal government and the railways met again on Wednesday (November 4) to discuss the resumption of local trains in the state. After the meeting, it was decided that the local trains will run on the basis of specific guidelines issued by the railways

The West Bengal government wants Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway to start local train services in the state as soon as possible in compliance with the hygiene rules. Therefore, the state government will hold a meeting today (November 4) with the two rail divisions to discuss a number of issues regarding the resumption of local train services.
 

West Bengal government and Indian Railways on Monday (November 2) decided to resume local train services on the Eastern Railways and South Eastern Railways. In the beginning, only 10 to 15% trains will operate with 50 % seating capacity. The frequency could be increased to 25% after Diwali.

The West Bengal government and the Eastern Railway authorities will hold a meeting today (November 2) to discuss the resumption of suburban train services. The state government has sent a letter to the general manager of Eastern Railway about operating a few pairs of suburban trains daily while following COVID-19 regulations.
 

In the letter, Kishor Raje Nimbalkar -- secretary in the Disaster Management, Relief & Rehabilitation department -- said: "The state is looking to open up the local train services to the general public while ensuring adherence to following of all COVID 19 protocols. In order to ensure that this is done in a staggered manner, the following time slots are hereby proposed."

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday (October 27) extended the lockdown in the containment zones across the country till November 30, 2020, amid the COVID-19 crisis. Local train in West Bengal will not be resumed in November. 

Eastern Railway is ready to resume local train services in Kolkata. According to reports, the train services will not be resumed during Durga puja but the state may take a decision soon after monitoring the COVID-19 situation after the festive season.

The Railway Ministry sent a letter to the West Bengal government asking for a discussion on resuming local train services in the state. In the COVID-19 situation, only a few special trains are running for the railway workers at present. Daily commuters are facing problems due to the non-availability of local trains. Therefore, the railways have decided to sit for a discussion with the state government for resuming local train services.