Indian railways Shutdown
In continuation of the measures taken in the wake of COVID-19, it has been decided by Indian Railways that all passenger train services on Indian Railways including Premium trains, Mail/Express trains, Passenger trains, Suburban Trains, Kolkata Metro Rail, Konkan Railway etc shall be cancelled till the 2400hrs of 31.03.2020. However, bare minimum level of services of suburban trains and Kolkata Metro Rail shall continue upto 2400hrs of 22.03.2020. However freight movement will continue as usual
Most effected districts to be locked down
The Union Government has advised State Governments to issue orders allowing only essential services to operate in about 75 districts with confirmed COVID 19 cases. Inter State passenger transport also to be suspended till 31st March 2020.
India was getting ready for this for a long time
By invoking powers under Disaster Management Act 2005, on 11th March, the Central government had already aligned entire state and local government machinery to act as a single entity under Union Health Ministry. As a result one can easily see coordinated and well deciplined local level decisions (Lock-down in Rajasthan, partial lock-down in 5 states etc) in resonance with national level decisions.
The army is already ready with emergency field hospitals in Jaisalmer and Manesar. All health facilities in India including Private and defense are also ready to accept casualties should a wider outbreak occur.
In effect India seems to have learned well from Chinese lock-downs and seems to have used the time well to get ready. We have a plan in place – the first contact with enemy is going to arrive soon, lets all hope it works.
