Shramik Special trains to ferry 20,000 stranded across country

NEWDELHI: Shramik Special trains were scheduled to run Saturday to ferry stranded migrants to Jharkhand, UP, Bihar from Rajashtan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and the five southern states—Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

However, of the 20 scheduled special trains, the Indian Railways said 10 special trains ran on Saturday. “As per information received, various zonal railways have run around 10 Shramik Special trains today (Saturday) on the demand of various state governments,” railway ministry said.

The trains scheduled from the respective railway zones were to ferry nearly 20,000 passengers, senior officials said. “Trains are being planned at the request of the states. The trains are scheduled to run today following all the standard protocols,” Railway Protection Force DG Arun Kumar said. Amid demands by states and a recognition of the logistical challenges involved in transporting millions of people back to their home states, the Centre on Friday decided to allow special trains—called Shramik Specials — to enable stranded migrants to return home. Five such trains operated on Friday.

According to officials, the railways is unlikely to run trains originating from containment zones like Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Railways also announced it will charge to operate special trains amid the lockdown. The fare includes the price of regular sleeper class tickets, plus a superfast charge of ₹30 and an additional charge of ₹20, adding that state can coordinate and pay on the passengers’ behalf.

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren Saturday tweeted the government should roll back the fare, adding that it was an “injustice to our labourers who are returning home.”

The ministry of railways had clarified that the trains were planned only for those registered by states. All passengers will have to wear masks.