This story is from May 13, 2020

Trains from Ahmedabad to Delhi full, return empty

While people from Gujarat are making a beeline for Delhi, it seems that Gujaratis settled outside the state, especially in Delhi, are not returning at this time.
Trains from Ahmedabad to Delhi full, return empty
Passengers wait before the departure of a special train from Ahmedabad to New Delhi at Sabarmati railway station in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. (Photo: AFP)
AHMEDABAD: While people from Gujarat are making a beeline for Delhi, it seems that Gujaratis settled outside the state, especially in Delhi, are not returning at this time.
The only train from Ahmedabad to Delhi is booked till May 19, but for the train coming from Delhi to Ahmedabad, bookings are full only till May 13.
However, first-class AC tickets — on both Delhi and Ahmedabad legs — have been booked till May 19.
A scan of the booking charts reveals that 80% of the 1AC tickets have been booked in several groups of four.
Only a few 1AC tickets are available and they are usually the last to get booked, because their prices are nearly 70% higher than those of 2AC tickets and 140% higher than those of 3AC tickets.
“But it seems that in the times Covid-19, 1AC is becoming the first choice of many passengers,” said a senior officer. “For 1AC, a passenger has to pay Rs 3,465. The fare for 2AC is Rs 2,060, and for 3AC, it is Rs 1,460.”
The officer said that if a person has four tickets, he or she gets the entire coupe and has no interaction with any outsider once the door is slid shut.
In 2AC, there are six passengers including two in the side berths. The number in 3AC is eight.

The officer said that looking at the bookings, it was clear that entire families or group of friends/associates were travelling together.
The rush to leave Gujarat, according to railway officials, can be explained by the fact that many engineers and other senior officers employed in Gujarat are uncertain about their companies resuming full-fledged operations. Hence they are heading back home to Delhi or nearby areas. The officer said that Gujarat has sent 250-odd Shramik special trains to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The trains carried about 1,200 passengers but on their way back to Gujarat they all returned empty.
“Very few Gujaratis are employed as labourers outside the state, especially in north India, and hence this was the sole reason why Shramik special trains returned without passengers.” said Vipul Mittra, additional chief secretary, labour and employment. “Even outside Gujarat, the people of the state are job providers.”
author
About the Author
Himanshu Kaushik

Himanshu Kaushik is Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Ahmedabad. He reports on Wildlife and state government. He takes special interest in reporting on wildlife, especially the lions of Gir. His likes listening to music.

End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA