Vijayawada Division undertakes special measures to prevent spread of Covid-19

In tune with the pro active measures of Ministry of Railways to combat the spread of novel corona Virus, South Central railway Vijayawada Division has undertaken extensive measures keeping in view the interests of rail users primarily. Shri P. Srinivas, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada convened a 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 today i.e. 20th March, 2020

Shri P. Srinivas, DRM Vijayawada discussed the action plan and various measures undertaken to fight the spread of novel corona virus. He advised the Officers to provide the 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. He also instructed the officials to implement the staggered timings of work for staff at administrative level to reduce the concentration at one place with an option to work from home wherever feasible. He directed the officials to give necessary instructions to field staff to avoid visiting headquarters for official work, personnel grievances and to forward the necessary applications through online or e-office. “Visitors’ entry to offices over the division is also restricted till 15th April, 2020 and any correspondence to the offices will be dealt with same seriousness even on phone or through email available on the official website”, he added. 

Shri P. Srinivas, DRM, Vijayawada appealed to the esteemed rail customers to avoid non-essential train journeys and maintain social distancing and stay indoors to combat the dreaded disease. He also urged the passengers to avail the facility of UTS on Mobile App to avoid crowding at Booking counters and concourses. Smt G. Sumana, ADRM (Operations) said that it is our social responsibility to think of our countrymen and ourselves to contain Covid-19. Shri M.V.S. Rama Raju, ADRM, Infra urged the rail passengers to cooperate with Railways to help them serve efficiently.

Arrangements made by Vijayawada Division to contain the spread of Covid-19

 Themal 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 w.e.f 18th March to 31st March, 2020 to discourage non essential visitors on platforms.  For rest all the stations coming under the category of NSG-5 & 6 the price have been increased to Rs. 20/- 

 Concessions for elderly people are withdrawn to dissuade them from travel as they are the most vulnerable group

 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. 

 Full refunds in case of Cancelled trains

 Setting up of quarantine facilities at important stations of the Division with adequate medical equipments.

 Block/shut down of all the Retiring Rooms and Dormitories at railway stations on the zone with effect from 00.00 hrs of 21st March, 2020 till 23.59 hrs of 15th April, 2020. In view of the same, all old and fresh bookings (online and manual) for allotment of Retiring Rooms and Dormitories will stand cancelled. Passengers who have already booked Retiring Rooms and Dormitories will be informed on the same and full refund given.

 Supply of  wollen blankets to passengers only on demand till 15th April, 2020 

 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.

 Adequate counters are being opened for the convenience of the passengers for processing refunds. 

 IEC campaign through posters on awareness against the spread of Covid-19 highlighting Do’s & Don’ts  displayed at all the stations of Division

 Audio Clippings & Visuals on awareness played frequently at important station of the Divisions.

 Apart from this, the zone has geared up to utilise its all possible resources to educate the passengers about the Novel corona virus and the steps being taken by Railways in the form of SMS, Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) and announcement through Public Address system at railway stations.