New Delhi: Amidst the nationwide lockdown and in an effort to meet Army’s operational requirements at the northern and the eastern command, two special military trains will run this week.
“The train routes include Bangalore - Belgaum- Secunderabad - Ambala- Jammu on April 17. And Bangalore - Belgaum- Secunderabad - Gopalpur - Howrah - NJP - Guwahati on April 18,” an Indian Army official said.
The official said that these two trains will enable decongestion of the Category A and B training establishments at Bengaluru, Belgaum, Secunderabad and Gopalpur as well as assist in operational preparedness of active formations deployed at the northern and eastern borders.
“This will enable decongestion of category A and B training establishments at Bangalore, Belgaum, Secundrabad and Gopalpur as well as assist in operational preparedness of active formations deployed in the borders,” sources in Indian Army said.
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.
The Army said that the personnel due to rejoin units deployed in northern and eastern borders have undergone mandatory quarantine period and found medically fit. They will be now accommodated.
It also stated that "further coordination with Ministry of Railways is in progress for planning additional trains in coming weeks".
All passenger train services and domestic and international flights have been suspended since the nationwide 21-day lockdown came into effect from March 25 and further extended by another 19 days till May 3 to contain the spread of coronavirus disease.
The Indian Railways is only running freight and parcel trains for an uninterrupted supply of essential goods.
