Ailing people, kids, pregnant women should avoid travel: Railway

Representative photo: PTI
NEW DELHI: The railway ministry on Friday appealed to people with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnant women, children below 10 years and those above 65 to avoid train travel.

Stating that a few deaths on Shramik Special trains were related to pre-existing medical conditions, the ministry said they aggravate the risk during the Covid-19 pandemic. There have been over half a dozen deaths on these trains while nearly 30 women passengers gave birth during their journey.

An official release said persons with co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and immune deficiency conditions may avoid train travel unless essential.

Railway minister Piyush Goyal also tweeted the appeal adding, “Safety of passengers is our biggest concern. So, we seek the cooperation of all citizens in this matter. In case of any distress or emergency, please do not hesitate to reach out to your railway parivaar and we will help you as always (Helpline number - 139 & 138).”

Railway Board chairman V K Yadav said no woman with advanced stage of pregnancy would ever travel in such trains. “But there must have been some compulsions for them to travel. These are trying times for all of us,” he said. tnn

Responding to whether they have found the exact number and reasons of deaths in such trains, Yadav said, “This is a sensitive issue. Loss of even a single life is very unfortunate. I won’t give any number until I have the exact reports. We are collecting from states and will share in due course.”