Shramik Special trains News

Indian Railways started Shramik Specials on May 1 to transport stranded migrant workers to their native states after thousands of them tried to reach home on foot due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown Pradhan wrote that he has received a number of requests from migrant workers in Odisha who have urged that train services be started from Odisha so that they can reach their workplace Recently, the Railways announced 80 additional special trains which will be run from September 12. This will be in addition to the 230 trains which are currently in operation

The Gujarat government as fares for ferrying more than 15 lakh migrant workers back to their native states in 1,027 trains. The average fare per person on Shramik Special trains is Rs 600. The Railways said it operated 4,109 Shramik trains in May, which came down to 493 in June, and 13 in July.

The Supreme Court also said that after reaching the native place, the "second major task" needed to be undertaken by the states and union territories concerned would be to take care of the employment of the returning migrants.

Since May 1, around 37 children have been born on board Shramik Special trains and on railway premises.

Railway Board chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav on Friday (May 29) said that over 52 lakh labourers have traveled in Shramik Special Trains started from May 1 to take migrant workers to their home state. He also added that Indian Raliways have plied 3840 trains so far.

In addition to Shramik specials, Railways are also running 15 pairs of special trains connecting New Delhi and plans to start 200 more timetabled trains on 1st June.

The Railway Minister urged the Maharashtra government to help his ministry to facilitate poor workers to reach their homes.

The West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to the Indian Railways urging it not to send Shramik Special trains to state till May 26 in view of Cyclone Amphan.

The Indian Railways on Wednesday said it has run 83 Shramik Special trains so far since May 1 and ferried more than 80,000 stranded people.