First special train with 1,140 migrants departs from Kerala as MHA allows movement

After Central government's anuncement to facilitate special trains for migrants, a Bhubaneswar bound special train carrying 1,140 migrant labourers left from Kerala's Aluva railway station in Ernakulam district at 10 pm on Friday.

Kerala State Ro Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses were arranged by state government for migrant workers to reach Aluva railway station which were accompanied by Police vans that also took migrants from camps to railway station.

A medical check-up of migrants was also conducted at Perumbavoor. scheduled departure of train was at 6 Pm, however, due to medical check-ups and registration process, train got delayed by four hours.

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Kerala Minister VS Sunil Kumar, Ernakulam district collector S Suhas, Ernakulam rural police chief K Karthik, Aluva MLA Anwar Sath also reached railway station. Ernakulam district ministration arranged food and water for migrants travel.

''re are 24 sleeper class coaches in train. train will run n-stop to Bhubaneswar. migrants are expected to reach re after 34 hours. As social distancing rms have to be followed, each sleeper class coach that rmally accommodates 72 persons, will be able to carry only 45 persons," VS Sunil Kumar said as quoted by ANI.

" train will t have a pantry but we gave m necessary food for travel. But passengers taking train will have to bear ticket fare. Tomorrow, two trains will depart with migrant labourers. One from Ernakulam South Railway station to Bhubaneswar and one from Aluva to Patna," he ded.

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This comes after Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday allowed special trains to be operated by Ministry of Railways (MoR) for movement of stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, and students. MHA issues guidelines to states on procedures to be followed before departing migrants. 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.