In view of COVID and the extraordinary situation prevailing as a consequence there of Central Railway vide letter dated 23/07/20 asked the State Government on their views about running Ganapati Special Trains (special long-distance mail/express trains to Konkan Region within Maharashtra), the number and date from which to run these special trains. Director, Disaster Management Unit, Maharashtra vide their letter dated 7.8.2020 informed that special trains may be scheduled to the Konkan Region for the Ganapati Festival in response to Central Railway’s letter. Accordingly, Central Railway immediately scheduled the special trains and sent for Railway Board’s approval.
Railway Board have Instantly approved on 9.8.2020 the running of special trains subject to following the Standard Operations Procedure (SOP) of Ministry of Home Affairs and Inter-District travel norms of the State Government of Maharashtra in the wake of COVID pandemic.
Railways is ready to run the specials subject to all the norms including social distancing, etc., However, Senior officials of State Government of Maharashtra informed on telephone on Saturday 8th August at night to keep on hold the schedule of running of special trains as the matter is under reconsideration of Maharashtra Government and said that they would advise the outcome. Since then Railway administration both at Board level and zonal level are in continuous touch with Maharashtra Government officials and have been awaiting to go ahead.
Central Railway wishes to inform the passengers that it is ready to run the specials, however, the final go-ahead is yet to be confirmed by the State Government of Maharashtra.
