GUWAHATI: The railways have resumed services of short-distance trains, locals and intercity specials in Assam to facilitate the easy commute of passengers, as inter-district travel by road continues to remain suspended since May 13. The services of the local trains were closed last year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, but are in the process of resumption as situations have gradually normalised.
As per data provided by the Northeast Frontier (NF) Railway, certain local trains have recorded bookings of up to 124 percent on a single day after the resumption. The average booking of some local and intercity passenger trains have been recorded at a weekly average of over 93 per cent since the last week of July.
When asked about the reopening of local trains, Chief PRO of NF Railway Subhanan Chanda said, "People have to commute somehow, at least to work. We are facilitating that by opening up the rail services."
As clarified by Chanda to G Plus, no COVID-19 testing is done on passengers commuting within the state by railways, as per Government guidelines.
Schedule of some local and intercity trains to be resumed soon:
-Train No. 05665 Guwahati – Mariani express special will run daily from August 20 leaving from Guwahati at 2:30 pm to reach Mariani at 22:15 pm. In the return direction, Train No. 05666 Mariani – Guwahati express special will run daily from August 21 leaving Mariani at 4:50 am to reach Guwahati at 2:50 pm.
-Train No. 05816/05815 Dekargaon – Guwahati – Dekargaon express will run daily w.e.f. August 23, leaving from Dekargaon at 5:15 am to reach Guwahati at 10:20 am and leaving from Guwahati at 4:15 pm to reach Dekargaon at 10:00/pm on the same day.
-Train No. 05417 Alipurduar junction – Silghat Town tri-weekly express will restore w.e.f. August 24 leaving from Alipurduar junction three days a week – on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 5:00 pm to reach Silghat Town at 9:00 am on the next day. In the return direction, Train No. 05418 Silghat Town – Alipurduar junction tri-weekly express will restore w.e.f. August 25 leaving from Silghat Town three days a week – on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 5:40 pm to reach Alipurduar junction at 7:45 am on the next day.
