Amid the nationwide lockdown owing to the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus, which came into effect from March 25 and now extended till May 3, all passenger train services and domestic and international flights have been suspended. 

However, as per the recent developments, two special trains are scheduled to run on April 17 and 18 for the Indian Army personnel. 

According to a news report in HT, citing national security reasons, the central government has given permission for the running of two special trains to be deployed for the Indian Army personnel, according to officials aware of the development.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has given its nod for the running of two special trains for security forces, the officials said. âThe MHA authorities have given their nod for deploying two special trains for security forces,â HT quoted a senior official on request of anonymity.

This initiative to run two military special trains is in a bid to meet the operational requirements for Northern and Eastern borders. âThese are,  Bangalore - Belgaum- Secunderabad - Ambala- Jammu on April 17, and Bangalore - Belgaum- Secunderabad - Gopalpur - Howrah - NJP - Guwahati on April 18,â the official said.

âThis will enable decongestion of Category A and B training establishments at Bangalore, Belgaum, Secundrabad & Gopalpur as well assist in op preparedness of active formations deployed in the borders. Only personnel due to rejoin units deployed in northern and eastern borders and have undergone mandatory Quarantine period/ found medically fit will be accommodated. Further coordination with the Ministry of Railways is in progress for planning additional trains in coming weeks.â the official further added.

Hundreds of soldiers, who have finished their training at key centres such as Bengaluru, Secunderabad, Gopalpur and Belgaum, need to be moved for their deployment.

âOnly personnel due to rejoin units deployed in northern and eastern borders and have undergone mandatory quarantine period/found medically fit will be accommodated. Further coordination with the Ministry of Railways is in progress for planning additional trains in coming weeks,â the official said.

Owing to the current situation of nationwide lockdown, the Indian Railways is only running freight and parcel trains for an uninterrupted supply of essential goods.

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