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The covid-19 pandemic completely changed the travel dynamics worldwide when it peaked. Due to this, there were various travel restrictions in India, like international travel, domestic travel, quarantine requirements, regulations on public transport, etc. Tourism travel and even work travel got drastically affected because of this. Multiple travel protocols like mandatory RT-PCR tests, showing Covid Vaccination Certificates, etc., made travel highly frustrating for those who used to commute daily for their work. New covid variants caused unauthorised travel to become a prevalent practice. To tackle such a high-level issue, Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority brought a Universal Travel Pass with the Indian Railways to ease ordinary people’s travel hassles on trains and metro rails. This universal pass allowed fully vaccinated people to travel without restrictions, along with tracking them for the records. It dramatically brought relief to people and became a huge success story. Let’s explore more about it.
What is a Universal Pass?
A Universal Pass is an electronic pass based on a QR code. It facilitates fully vaccinated people with authorised access to public transport and entry to public places like railway stations, malls, airports, buses, etc.
Launched by Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority in association with the Indian railways, the universal travel pass allowed covid vaccinated people to travel in local suburban trains and monorails in Mumbai. Later on, this pass was adopted by the central government for all citizens of India, allowing them interstate travel across India.
Initially, this pass enabled people in the medical, education, and utility sectors to travel freely. Subsequently, the government extended it to people working in registered companies, reducing the need to verify IDs, vaccination certificates, or covid negative reports repetitively.
This universal travel pass has 5 degrees allowing people to travel in restricted areas with different degrees. You can purchase public transport tickets only if you provide this pass.
Who is eligible for a Universal Travel Pass?
To get a universal travel pass, you must qualify for the following eligibility criteria:
- You must be an Indian citizen of age 18 and above.
- You must have got both doses of covid-19 vaccines.
- You can apply for the card at least 14 days after getting the second dose of covid-19 vaccine.
- You must fill up all the information required in the application form.
- You must comply with all the conditions mentioned in the application procedure.
Why is Universal Pass Required?
There are many objectives for issuing a QR-based universal pass:
- Safe travel across India during covid-19 pandemic.
- Identification of fully vaccinated people to allow them to travel on public transport and places
- Ensuring medical, educational, and other essential services are functional and accessible.
- Faster verification through QR code-based e-pass.
- Preventing people from using fake IDs and passes for travel during restrictions.
- Allowing people to travel without repetitive RTPCR tests.
Is a Universal Pass a ticket to travel?
No, it is not a ticket to travel. It is simply permission to travel provided you meet all the necessary conditions. For travel, you will have to buy your tickets.
What are the Documents Required for Universal Travel Pass?
A person who needs a universal travel pass must have the following documents ready:
Aadhar Card
Voter ID card
Registered mobile number
Registered Company
Industrial papers
Registration number.
Can the Universal pass be used all across India?
Yes, people can use the universal pass to travel across states. Government issues interstate passes for trains and buses for hassle-free travel.
Is the Universal pass valid for only essential service workers?
Initially, the government launched the Universal pass only for essential service workers. But later on, it opened it for everyone who needed to travel for work.
Here are the steps to get the UTP:
- Check your state’s official government portal to see if they provide UTP. For example, the Maharashtra government has the portal epassmsdma.mahait.org.
- Under the ‘Citizen’ category, click ‘Universal Pass for Double Vaccinated Citizens.’
- Log in with the mobile number used during CoWIN registration.
- Enter the OTP received on your mobile.
- Click on ‘Generate Pass.’
- Check all your details and upload your photo.
- Once done, you’ll receive an SMS within 48 hours with the universal pass download link.
- Download the universal pass by opening the link.
How To Apply For Universal Travel Pass for your establishment
Here are the steps you must follow to get the UTP for your establishment:
- Check your state’s official government portal to see if they provide UTP. For example, the Maharashtra government has the portal epassmsdma.mahait.org.
- Click on ‘Register your establishment.’
- On the form displayed, fill in all the details like the registration number, establishment category, type of establishment, and photo of registration certificate, etc.
- Click on the link to accept all the conditions.
- Click on ‘Register.’
- Once done, you’ll receive an SMS within 48 hours with the universal pass download link.
- Download the universal pass by opening the link.
Summary
The Universal Travel Pass brought considerable relief to daily workers who must commute daily. It helped streamline the travel process and increase vaccination. It was a digital health passport that provided a standardized way for travelers to demonstrate their COVID-19 vaccination status. It offered a significant change in the way people traveled during the pandemic.
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