Following the decision taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs to transport migrant workers, students, tourists and other persons stranded in various parts of the country due to the lockdown, the Ministry of Railways has decided to ply ‘Shramik’ trains for the same.
The order comes after the MHA decided to extend the current phase of the lockdown beyond May 3 for a period of 2 more weeks.
However, it was clarified by Railways Ministry that these special trains will be operated only upon the request of state governments. Nodal Officers to coordinate with state government and UTs for the movement of stranded people will be appointed by the Ministry of Railways and the respective state governments.
Passengers will be screened by the state that is currently hosting the stranded people and only those found asymptomatic would be allowed to travel. It will be mandatory for those travelling to wear masks. Meals and drinking water would be provided by the sending states at the origin station.
A special train carrying 1200 people left from Telangana to Hatia in Jharkhand after the Railways Ministry acceded to the request of Jharkhand government to facilitate their return.
The other special trains slated to run are on the routes of Aluva to Bhubaneswar, Nasik to Lucknow, Nasik to Bhopal, Jaipur to Patna and Kota to Hatia.