Thiruvananthapuram: The Railway is all set to ban passengers who are not subjected to medical check-up before boarding the train. The action is planned as the passengers keep arriving late at the station thereby hindering the check-up.
Currently, only reservation journeys are allowed. The health check-up will start 1 hour 30 minutes prior to the train time in order to complete it before the train leaves. When many passengers arrive late, the time for check-up is wasted. Also they refuse to be subjected to the medical examination fearing the train would leave.
Twenty passengers boarded the Jan Shatabdi Express at Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station without check-up the other day. They came late and boarded the train ignoring the warning of security staff. This is considered as a serious security lapse as the COVID transmission rate in the capital city is too high.
The railway authorities has decided not to allow this any more. It has been directed to intensify checking and medical examination at all station under Thiruvananthapuram Division. Entry to the station will be stopped 15 minutes before the train's departure.
Checking inside the trains also will be made stricter. It has been found that passengers avoid wearing mask and sit close to each other after leaving the station. RPF will conduct checking to prevent this and charge fine from those who violate the rules.