3.56 migrants moved in 285 Shramik special trains from Punjab
Ferozepur, May 25, 2020: As many as, 3.56 lakh migrant workers have shifted to their home towns through the Shramik special trains, from Punjab arranged by the government without charging any fare with 85 percent share of the railways.
These arrangements have been made by the Government of India, as per the demand of the state government and Shramik special train was scheduled on May 1 Labour Day to ensure safely reaching of stranded migrant workers, students, pilgrims, tourists and others, to their home towns.
Divulging more, Divisional Rail Manager, Ferozepur Division, Rajesh Aggarwal informed that 285 Shramik special trains have moved from Punjab ferrying around 3.56 lakh migrant workers which include 157 trains from Ludhiana, 76 Jalandhar, 28 Amritsar, 11 Ferozepur Cantt, 10 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, one each train from Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Pathankot Cantt. These special trains have destinations of UP for 187 trains, 69 Bihar, 11 MP, 7 Jharkhand, 6 Chattisgarh, one each for AP, WB, Mahrashtra, Kerala and Uttrakhand.
Today, 150th train moved from Ludhina railway station for Chhapra taking 1,600 passengers, said DRM.
He further said, in Ferozepur rail division, Udhampur station has been earmarked for arrival of Shramik special trains where so far 17 trains have arrived so far from UP, MP, Delhi,Goa,Telangana, WB, Karnatka, Maharashtra and Tamilnadu by making special arrangements for the passengers besides adequate arrangements of breakfast, food and water at Ludhiana and Jammu-Tavi stations of the division by the IRCTC.
DRM said, the medical protocol as per the guidelines of Covid-19, has been maintained throughout the operations, in close liaison between the railways and district administration staff, as a preventive measure in view of the threat of coronavirus.
In this time of crisis, certain non-government organizations have also arranged eatables for the migrants with a special gesture for small kids by gifting them toffees, chocolates, sweets and even toys, he added appreciating the initiative of the NGOs.
DRM said, the dedicated railway staff had been performing their duties during the lockdown periods working day and night. In return, railways too had been taking care of them for their comforts, to boost their morale.