All passenger trains cancelled till March 31

New Delhi: As India battles against the coronavirus pandemic, Indian Railways has announced the closure of all passenger rail services across the nation till March 31.

The railways had already trimmed down its services on Friday by cancelling a majority of trains. However, it had allowed all trains that had already started the journey to continue.

According to a new order issued by the railways, only goods trains will run from March 22 midnight to March 31 midnight. "However, bare minimum suburban services and the Kolkata Metro Rail service will continue till March 22 midnight.

Thereafter, these services will also be stopped till March 31 midnight," a spokesperson of the Indian Railways said. The decision was taken in a Ministry of Railways meeting on Sunday.

However, trains which had commenced their journey prior to 4 am on March 22 will be allowed to reach their destinations. The railways also announced that passengers will be able to avail a full refund for all cancelled trains June 21.

"Adequate arrangements shall be made to facilitate hassle-free refund to passengers affected by train cancellations," railway officials said.