Indian Railways
Representative image. Image credit - Business Today

The Indian Railways on Saturday said that the travelling ticket examiners (TTE) will be doing their duties without their customary black coats and ties for the first time in its 167 year history.

The TTEs will be checking passengers’ tickets with magnifying glasses and will wear gloves, masks and PPEs, the national transporter has said in an order issued Friday in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

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These instructions are part of the guidelines for TTEs for the 100 pairs of special trains which will begin operations from June 1.

“In order to prevent/reduce chances of infection, TTE staff may be asked to dispense with tie and coat. They will, however, put on their name and designation badge,” the guidelines said.

In order to prevent physical handling of tickets for verifying the details, a magnifying glass be provided if possible, so that the TTE can scrutinize the details from a distance without touching the ticket,” it added.

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According to the guidelines, all ticket checking staff when reporting for duty shall undergo thermal screening and if they fail the screening they should not be allowed to join duty.

All staff should inform authorities if they are suffering from any respiratory problems, the guidelines said.

It also said the seniormost ticket checking staff shall be the in-charge, and he and the other ticket checking staff should be preferably provided with walkie talkie equipment so that they can communicate in case of emergency.

All staff should record their status through the AarogyaSetu App, the railways said.

The guidelines also stated about the cleanliness and sanitization norms that the TTEs should follow while on duty.