West Bengal gives letter to Rail Board Chairman regarding resumption of train services

Requesting the Chairman to restart the services, Bandyopadhyay in a letter said, "This is to bring to your notice that State Government is of the view that Metro and local train services can be resumed in Bengal in a limited manner maintaining the norms of physical distancing and health hygiene protocols. "

"However, it is requested that, before resumption of services, required modalities and logistics to ensure smooth operation of these services may be worked out in consultation with the State Government," he added.

It might be mentioned that days back Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said her government is willing to allow one-fourth of suburban trains services and full Metro Railway services with adequate safety protocols, including social distancing, from September 1.

She said the Railways authorities could talk to the state government officials to work on the modalities regarding resumption of train services.

Meanwhile, direct flights to Kolkata from six Covid-19 hotspots will resume from next month.

This was announced by Banerjee recently.

Flights from these places will be allowed thrice a week from next month.

The embargo was till August 31 on incoming flights from six cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chennai, and Nagpur.

However, no flights will be operational to and from Kolkata on September 7, 11, and 12 when the state will be under total lockdown.

Yesterday, Kolkata Airport authorities tweeted, "Flights from six cities viz Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune and Nagpur will be allowed in a limited manner from September. They will be allowed on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday during 1st and 2nd week of September and Monday, Wednesday and Friday during 3rd and 4th week of September. Passengers are requested to check further schedules with the concerned and respective Airlines. "