With the aim of facilitating thousands of stranded people reaching their homes safely, Indian Railways has launched Shramik Special service today on the International Labour Day after getting the necessary permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Under Shramik’ special trains, a total of six special trains are being pressed into service which include Lingampally to Hatia, Aluva to Bhubaneswar, Nasik to Lucknow, Nasik to Bhopal, Jaipur to Patna and Kota to Hatia.
Revised its earlier guidelines, MHA has allowed special train service for movememnt of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students, and other persons, stranded at different places due to the lockdown.
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 Railways and State governments shall appoint senior officials as Nodal Officers for coordination and smooth operation of these Shramik Specials.
According to railways, the passengers will be screened at the point of origin of the train service and only those found to be asymptomatic will be allowed to travel.
These people will have to be brought to the railway station in batches in sanitized buses following social distancing norms and other precautions. It will be mandatory for every passenger to wear face cover.
The Railways will attempt to enforce social distancing norms and hygiene with the cooperation of passengers.
A detailed guidelines is being worked out for sale of tickets and for social distancing and other safety measures to be observed at stations, platforms and within trains, according to a railway official.
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 stations 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.
We will try to ensure social distancing norms and hygiene with the cooperation of passengers, the official said.
On longer routes, the Railways will provide a meal enroute during the journey.
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 station.
Railways maintain that at this point of time of crisis faced by the nation, all officers and staff are committed to serve our fellow Indians and seeks everyone’s support and cooperation.
Since there are many students stranded at Kota in Rajasthan, two special trains being preseed for Ranchi and Dhanbad.
Students have to carry their ID cards. parents are allowed if accompanied with students. District Magistrate has to coordinate the whole effortsand seats will be alloted on first cum first serve basis.
All coaches are marked for their destination-wise for example in the Kota to Ranchi, coaches are earmarked for Lohardaga, Gumla, Ramgarh, Palamu and and likewise so passengers have to occupy the coaches accordingly.