Vijayawada: SCR takes special measures to prevent spread on Covid-19

Vijayawada: In tune with the pro-active measures of the Ministry of Railways to combat the spread of the dreaded coronavirus, the South Central Railway in the Vijayawada Division has undertaken an extensive measures keeping in view the interests of rail users primarily. SCR, Vijayawada divisional Railway Manager P Srinivas, convened an emergency meeting with all the branch officers and medical officers of the Division to review the precautionary measures undertaken by the Division at the field level and further plans for implementation to check the spread of Covid-19 from Friday onwards.

P. Srinivas, DRM, Vijayawada, during the meeting asked the officials to provide frontline staff dealing with public and operating/emergency staff of Division with sufficient protective gear and counsel the staff to handle the present situation without panic and help passengers to commute safely. The officials have decided to make following arrangements to check the coronavirus.

Thermal scanners provided to RPF to screen the passengers at entry points and booking concourses Foot mark stickers are provided at the booking counters and reservation counters for maintaining distance between passengers. Regular and frequent cleaning of station premises including waiting halls, seating arrangements, toilets, water troughs and any other areas which are susceptible to spread of virus.

Regular cleaning of lifts, escalators, grab rails, hand rests and other metal surface with sodium hypo chlorite in order to disinfect the surfaces. Platform ticket price have been enhanced to Rs.50 at 20 important stations of division with effect from March 18 to March 31 to discourage non essential visitors on platforms. For the other remaining stations coming under the category of NSG-5 & 6 the price has been increased to Rs. 20/-. Minimum temperature in AC coaches is being set around 25 °C

Comprehensive cleaning of coaches including the toilets and pantry cars along with proper disinfection at prescribed frequencies. Ensuring availability of liquid soaps and water in toilets of coaches and pantry cars. Sanitizers have been provided to TTE's & Booking counter staff dealing with public. Dissemination of information is being done in various forms like print, electronic and social media about cancellation of trains.

Foot prints marked near the ticket counters to maintain distance