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Stranded migrant workers, tourists, etc., stuck in cities across India, can now go back to their hometown via the Government’s especially run Shramik trains. By Upasana Singh
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Indian Railways has announced that it will now run ‘Shramik trains’ to ferry stranded migrants, tourists, workers, and others to their hometowns amid the lockdown.
Since the nationwide coronavirus lockdown has been imposed, several people including migrants, workers, and students have been stranded across different parts of the country. In a bid to send them home, the Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed special trains to be operated by the Indian railways. This decision was taken two days after the central government approved the movement of people via buses from one state to another.
“Indian Railway is running special Shramik trains in coordination with state government and district administration to take stranded citizens home. Please get in touch with the State government to reserve your spot if required. #IRTSMovingIndia #CoronaWarriors #IndiaFightsCorona,” Indian Railway Traffic Service Association (IRTS) tweeted.
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So far, six ‘Shramik Special’ trains have been announced— Lingampally to Hatia, Nasik to Lucknow, Aluva to Bhubaneswar, Nasik to Bhopal, Jaipur to Patna, and Kota to Hatia.
As per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Indian Railways has stated that the special trains will run from point to point after the request of the concerned state governments has been approved, following standard protocols for sending and receiving stranded persons. Senior officials will be appointed as nodal officers by the railways and state governments for the smooth operation and functioning of the ‘Shramik Specials’.
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Passengers are to be screened by the states sending them, and only those found healthy and asymptomatic will be allowed to travel. State governments will group these persons into batches and take them to the railway station in sanitized buses following social distancing rules and other precautions. It will be compulsory for passengers to wear face masks. Meals and drinking water will be provided by the states at the departure station and on longer journeys, they will also be served on the train. On arrival at the destination, people will be screened by the state health authorities and put under home quarantine or institutional quarantine.
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