Eastern Railway on Tuesday said it has so far cancelled 56 local trains in the Sealdah section after around 90 drivers and guards tested positive for Covid- 19.
However, no decision has been taken on cancellation of trains in the Howrah section, said an official.
“The situation is pretty grim. Some 90 drivers and guards are unable to report for duty due to Covid. We have cancelled 56 local trains to ensure mail and express train services are not impacted,” Eastern Railway spokesperson Eklabya Chakraborty told PTI. “As far as possible, the non-peak hour trains are cancelled to minimise the impact for commuters,” he added.
Suburban train services resumed in West Bengal on November 11 last year after more than seven months. In the wake of soaring Covid-19 cases, the Indian Railways had recently announced that commuters will be fined up to Rs 500 for not wearing masks at rail premises and in trains.
Meanwhile, according to the latest figures released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday morning, India’s Covid-19 tally breached 15.3 million-mark with 259,170 fresh cases and 1761 fatalities recorded in the last 24 hours. This is the sixth day in a row that the country’s daily infection caseload has crossed 200,000 mark.
Several state governments have imposed strict restrictions in the wake of rising cases. Strict restrictions include night curfews, weekend curfew, and the closure of educational institutions.
The national capital, Delhi is observing a six-day lockdown that began Monday night as Covid-19 cases have surged by nearly 600% in the last two weeks which has led to a shortage of medical supplies. The Capital is unable to meet its requirement of ICU beds and oxygen cylinders for Covid-19 patients.