VIJAYAWADA: In a first of its kind decision, South Central Railway (SCR) on Friday announced cancellation of 55 passenger trains for four days after as many as 32 loco pilots had tested positive for the pandemic virus.
The SCR had earlier cancelled all trains during the wave I and wave II, but this is the first time that it has cancelled a select batch of trains for want of sufficient manpower.
Though the SCR in its official statement cited Covid-19 as the reason for the cancellation of trains and did not elaborate further, sources in the SCR told TOI that 32 loco pilots had tested positive and they have been directed to remain under quarantine for 10 days.
Incidentally, most of the loco pilots, who had tested positive, were on duty of express trains. Sources said as express trains have reserved seats and difficult to cancel them, the SCR cancelled local trains and passenger trains on short distances.
The loco pilots on these trains would be diverted to express trains. As many as 16 local trains in Hyderabad and Secunderabad were cancelled.
