Indian Railways on Friday (March 20) decided to cancel all passenger trains on Sunday (March 22) in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s appeal for a `janata curfew` amid coronavirus scare. Notably, all long-distance mail or express and intercity trains originating between 4 am and 10 pm on March 22 will also remain cancelled, according to an Indian Railway circular.

"Keeping in view the fact that the demand for rail travel will be vastly reduced during the Janata curfew between 7 am and 9 pm on Sunday, zonal railways are hereby advised to regulate services. All passenger trains originating between March 21-22 midnight to 10 pm on March 22 shall no trun," said the circular addressed to all zonal railways.

It further said, "However, passenger train already on the go at 7 am on that day will be allowed to reach their destinations."

The circular said that railway divisions should keep a watchand empty trains could be terminated short of their final destinations ifrequired. Approximately 1,300 mail or express trains will remain cancelled onMarch 22.

Railway Board took this decision after holding a meetingwith General Managers of zonal railways to contain the spread of novelcoronavirus in the country.Suburban services in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata,Chennai, and Secundrabad will also be reduced to a bare minimum only to caterto essential travel requirements. The zonal railways' authorities willreportedly decide on the number of services after assessing local conditionsand requirements.

"Drinking water and refreshments (on payment) shall bearranged for to cater to the needs of such passengers," said the circular,which also asked zonal authorities to keep a close watch on the situation atmajor railway stations and press into service special trains wherever needed toclear the rush of passengers

Indian Railways has so far cancelled over 245 pairs oftrains amid the coronavirus crisis across the country.