After more than two months of an arduous lockdown, India is beginning to relax the lockdown guidelines and normal economic and social life is all set to resume in most parts of the country. With several relaxations being made, travel –through aircraft and trains—is opening up again.
Here’s all you need to know if you are planning to undertake air or train travel or want to obtain a movement pass to travel by road.
1. How to book your air tickets?
Passengers can book the tickets online either directly from airlines for travel portals.
No new guidelines have been laid down so far by the government on making flight reservations.
At the airport, technology will minimize human to human contact. No physical check-in will happen and only web check-in will take place.
Detailed SOPs for air travel have been issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry. They can be accessed here.
Also Read: Want to take a domestic flight starting May 25? Here’s all you need to know
Individual airlines may soon issue a detailed note in this regard.
2. How to book your train ticket?
Only online bookings can be made through the IRCTC webpage or app.
The Railways Ministry has clarified that ticket counters at the various railway stations will not be opened.
Only passengers who hold a valid e-ticket will be permitted to travel.
Fares are expected to be normal.
3. How to get a movement pass for inter-state road travel?
Individuals have to apply for an e-pass from (either from originating state or destination state, or both in some cases) before traveling inter-state by road.
State governments have their own respective procedures for issuing these passes online. Most states have set up a special web portal for the issuance of these passes.
Many states are not allowing people traveling from Red Zone/Containment Zones to enter their jurisdiction and are placing them under institutional quarantine.
Those who are being allowed to come in from another state by road are also being asked to go into home quarantine for 14 days.
So it is advisable to check the rules being enforced by different states before embarking on an inter-state road journey.