Railways issues guidelines to operate Shramik trains, clarifies on tickets distribution

Indian Railways on Sunday issued guidelines for Shramik trains that are operating for movement of stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, and students stuck due to Covid lockdown. It states that local and state government authorities will act as a link and co-ordinate between passengers and Railways in distribution of tickets. It says that Shramik trains are n-stop trains bound for a single destination. It has clearly mentioned that all people will be screened in state from where y will board train, and only if y are asymptomatic, y will be allowed to travel. 

Here are points specified in guidelines:

• Shramik special trains should have at least 90 per cent occupancy to operate.

• local state government authority shall handover tickets of such trains to passengers cleared by m and collect ticket fare and hand over total amount to Railways.

• It also said that originating state will provide adequate security at designated station to ensure that only those passengers, who have been cleared by state government to travel and have valid train ticket for journey, should enter station premises.

• Railways shall print train tickets to specified destination, as per number of passengers indicated by originating state and hand m over to local state government authority, it said.

• state government shall issue food packets and drinking water at originating points, it said.

• It will be mandatory for all passengers to wear face cover. state authorities shall advise passengers to use mask/ face covers.

• originating state will encour all passengers to download and use Aarogya Setu App.

• For trains with long journey beyond 12 hours, one meal will be provided by railways.

• On arrival at ir destination, passengers will be received by state government authorities, who would make all arrangements for ir screening quarantine, if necessary, and furr travel. receiving state will make adequate security arrangements at railway station. 

Here is full guideline document:

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On Saturday, railways issued a clarification that tickets will t be issued to any individual. Issuing an advisory on Saturday, it has said that one under any circumstances should come to railway stations looking for trains as requests will be entertained, adding that those who want to travel should contact state governments. It has also said that regular passenger train services are cancelled till May 17.

READ | Ministry of Railways issues clarification on Shramik special and regular train services

MHA Permits Movement Of Stranded Persons 

This comes after several Chief Ministers had urged Home Ministry to ply special trains to facilitate movement of migrants considering long-distance and a large number of individuals stranded.  In tice issued by Home Ministry on Friday, it has stated that Ministry of Railways will designate dal officers for coordinating with states and Union Territories for movement of stranded persons. It has also informed that MoR will issue detailed guidelines for sale of tickets, and for social distancing and or measures to be observed at train stations, train platforms and within trains. 

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