Indian Railways (IR) has decided to restore its regular five digit number system for its trains. As on date, trains are being run as Mail/Express specials and holiday specials with prefix numbered 0 followed by 4 digits.
The decision follows a letter from the Coaching Directorate Railway Board dated November 12,2021 to all General Managers of each railway zone besides Konkan Railway.
It stated “ In view of the Covid 19 pandemic, all regular Mail/Express trains were being operated as MSPC (Mail/Express specials) and HSP (holiday specials). It has now been decided that the MSPC & HSP train services included in the Working Time Table, 2021 shall be operated with regular numbers and with fares as applicable for the concerned classes of travel and type of train, as per the extant guidelines. This issues with the concurrence of the Passenger Marketing Directorate of Railway Board.”
For instance, special train number 02311/02312 Netaji express ( erstwhile Kalka Mail) will be restored to its regular number 12311 /12312.
The second class in these trains will continue to be run as reserved except in cases of relaxations, the circular added. The circular further said that “ no difference of fare either to be collected by Railways or any refund due to already booked passengers shall be permitted.”
The regular numbering of trains will be implemented after IR’s IT arm- Centre for Railway Information system (CRIS)- makes amendments to the reservation software. A senior railway official on the condition of anonymity said “ this circular has to be implemented on an immediate basis.” The circular however, is silent about trains which were a part of the Time Table during pre-Covid times but not a part of the Working Time Table 2021.
Covid19 related protocols for passengers will continue, the circular said.
