Railways has taken 21 lakh migrants home in May so far

New Delhi: Indian Railways has transported more than 21 lakh migrant workers to their home states through "Shramik Special" trains in the last 19 days. In an official statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry of Railways said, "As on May 19, a total of 1,595 'Shramik Special' trains have been operationalised from various states across the country and more than 21 lakh passengers have reached their home state."

"These 1,595 trains have originated from various states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh UT, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Puducherry UT, Punjab, Rajasthan, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal," Railways added. 

Railways further said that these "Shramik Special Trains" took migrants home to various states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir.

The Railways also said that proper thermal screening of passengers is being ensured before boarding the train. During the journey, passengers are given free meals and water.

The backdrop

The government started these Shramil Special trains to enable migrant workers stuck in various parts of the country to go home. Apart from running Shramik Special trains, the Railways has also started special train services for stranded people across the country recently. There's a strict standard operating procedure that is being followed by the Railways for transporting people. "Movement of passengers at the railway station would be permitted only on confirmed e-tickets. There would be a compulsory medical screening for all passengers. Only asymptomatic persons would be allowed to board the train. All passengers shall be provided with hand sanitizer at entry and exit points at stations and in coaches. During travel and at railway stations, health/hygiene protocols and social distancing should be strictly adhered to," a notification released on May 11 had said.