MHA permits movement of stranded persons by train, Railways to run 'Shramik Special'

In a major development on Friday, Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed special trains to be operated by Ministry of Railways (MoR) for movement of stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists and students. 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. Home Ministry had permitted inter-state movement of stranded persons amid lockdown on Wednesday. 

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. 

se special trains will be run from point to point on request of both concerned State Governments as per standard protocols for sending and receiving such stranded persons. Railways and State Governments shall appoint senior officials as dal Officers for coordination and smooth operation of se “Shramik Specials”.
 

As per MHA guidelines, it has been decided to run "Shramik Special" trains from International Workers' Day on May 1.

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MHA issues guidelines

passengers have to be screened by sending states and only those found asymptomatic would be allowed to travel. State Governments will be responsible for transporting stranded persons in batches that can be accommodated in train to designated railway Station in sanitized buses following social distancing rms and or precautions. It will be mandatory for every passenger to cover ir faces. Meals and drinking water would be provided to passengers by sending states at originating station.

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Railways will endeavour to ensure social distancing rms and hygiene with cooperation of passengers. On longer routes, Railways will provide a meal en route during journey. On arrival at destination, passengers will be received by State Government, who would make all arrangements for ir screening, quarantine if necessary and furr travel from concluding railway station.

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Telangana-Jharkhand Train For Migrants Departs

Railways on Friday ran a special train to ferry 1,200 stranded migrants from Lingampally in Telangana to Hatia in Jharkhand, a first since lockdown began. " 24 coach train started at 4.50 am today (Friday)," RPF DG Arun Kumar told news ncy PTI. It's only train to be deployed so far, he added. 

Later, a Railway official while speaking to ANI said that train was run as per directions of Ministry. "Any or train to be planned as per directions of Ministry of Railways and on request from originating and destination states," he added. 

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