Kerala CM seeks Center’s approval to resume domestic air travel, intra-state trains, metro services

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought PM Modi's permission for resuming domestic air travel, intra-state passenger trains along with metro rail services in a memorandum sent on Tuesday.

About resuming inter-state rains, the CM said the time is not right to begin the inter-state passenger trains yet. These were the state’s suggestions and they were asked to submit the same by the Centre after the PM’s video conference with all the Chief Ministers.
The CM further said that they have sought permission for special non-stop trains from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru and other major cities.

"The state has suggested intra-district bus service but not inter-district services. The bus service can be allowed by strictly following social distancing. Since the buses will have to ply with limited number of passengers, the fares can be hiked to compensate the loss," CM suggested.
The memorandum also sought permission to restart hospitality services with maintaining strict social distancing inside the restaurants outside of containment zones.

On Monday, Kerala CM had suggested that states should have the flexibility in changing lockdown guidelines. He also said that allowing public and metro rail services by following social distancing norms should be allowed everywhere minus the red zones.

As per current updates, Kerala might resume domestic flights and intra-state passenger trains once the third phase of the lockdown ends on May 17.

Apparently, Kerala was the first Indian state to report COVID-19 positive cases. Till now, the state has reported 524 virus cases and four deaths.