NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, MAY 1
The Indian Railway begins operating “Shramik Special’’ trains from May 1 from different destinations across the nation to facilitate to move migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places due to nation-wide lockdown. The railways begin operations as per the issued by Ministry of Home Affairs.
These special trains will be run from point to point on the request of both the concerned State Governments as per the standard protocols for sending and receiving such stranded persons.
The first such train left for Hatia in Jharkhand from Lingampalli in Andhra to carrying over 1200 migrant labourers. Officials facilitated the travel arrangements with the cooperation of the state government.
@RailMinIndia runs the first Special Train for stranded Migrants from Lingampalli to Hatia with 1225 labourers. #IndiaFightsCorona @eastcoastrail pic.twitter.com/EMie20Hjmk
— PIB in Andhra Pradesh (@pibvijayawada) May 1, 2020
The migrant workers were given food and enough drinking water at the originating station. The officials at the intermediary stations have been instructed to arrange food for the migrant labourers.
The Railways and State Governments shall appoint senior officials as Nodal Officers for coordination and smooth operation of these “Shramik Specials”, says a release from the ministry of railway.
The passengers have to be screened by the sending states and only those found asymptomatic would be allowed to travel. Sending State Governments will have to bring these persons in batches that can be accommodated in the train to the designated Railway Station in sanitized buses following social distancing norms and other precautions. It will be mandatory for every passenger to wear face cover. Meals and drinking water would be provided to the passengers by the sending states at the originating station.
The Railways will endeavour to ensure social distancing norms and hygiene with the cooperation of passengers. On longer routes, the Railways will provide a meal enroute during the journey.
https://twitter.com/scribe_prashant/status/1256242184606453760
On arrival at the destination, passengers will be received by the State Government, who would make all arrangements for their screening, quarantine if necessary and further travel from the Railway Station.
At this point of time of crisis faced by the nation, all officers and staff of the Indian Railways are committed to serve our fellow Indians and seeks everyone’s support and cooperation, the release adds.
