Railways run ‘Shramik Specials’ to ferry stranded

02/05/2020

The five ‘Shramik Special’ trains planned are: Nasik (Maharashtra) to Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Aluva (Kerala) to Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Nasik (Maharashtra) to Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan) to Patna (Bihar) and Kota (Rajasthan) to Hatia (Jharkhand). 

A Railways official stressed that these were special trains planned for people identified and registered by the State governments, and that the Railways would not issue any tickets to any individual or group. “We will allow only those passengers to board whom State government officials will bring to Railway Stations,” said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

“These special trains will be run from point to point on the request of both the concerned State governments as per the standard protocols for sending and receiving such stranded persons,” the Indian Railways said in an official statement.

The passengers would have to be screened by the sending States and only those found asymptomatic would be allowed to travel. In addition, the sending State governments would have to arrange to bring these people in batches in sanitized buses, following social distancing norms and other precautions. “It will be mandatory for every passenger to wear face cover. Meals and drinking water would be provided to the passengers by the sending States at the originating station.”

A Railway official said the fare for these special trains would be based on the fare for Sleeper Mail Express trains, plus ₹30 superfast charge and an additional charge of ₹20. This includes meals and drinking water for long-distance trains. However, passengers are not required to buy the ticket. The fares would be paid by the State governments.

The Railways said the cancellation of all passenger train services would be extended till May 17.