Trivandrum: Southern Railway is taking various measures to contain the spread of resurgence of COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Home Affairs from time to time. Southern Railway has been continuously appealing to passengers to follow COVID appropriate behaviour (CAB) such as social distancing, wearing of a mask and regular washing of hands while in the Railway premises and aboard the train.
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for movement of trains as brought out by Indian Railways specifies that all the passengers should be advised that they shall be wearing face cover/mask at entry and during travel, amongst others.
Various State governments across the country have issued orders for the imposition of fines from persons not wearing masks in public places. Taking this into account, the Railway board has authorized all Zonal Railways to impose a fine up to Rs.500 under Indian Railways (Penalties for activities affecting cleanliness at Railway premises) Rules, 2012, from persons not wearing face mask/cover in Railway premises including trains. As per the Railway board instructions, Southern Railway will take action with immediate effect for a period of six (6) months till further advice is issued in this regard.
In accordance with these guidelines, Southern Railway shall collect a maximum fine of Rs. 500 from passengers who are found to be not wearing masks in the Railway premises including trains. In view of this, Southern Railway appeals to all passengers to wear masks and follow other COVID appropriate behaviour while entering the railway premises, during the train journey and throughout the time they are in the railway premises.
Officials authorized to collect these fines:
1. The Station Master or Station Manager
2. An officer not below the rank of Ticket collector of the commercial department or an officer of an equivalent rank of the operating department.
3. RPF officials
4. Any other official that may be subsequently authorized by the Railway administration.