16 Shramik special trains operated so far from Ferozepur division, 17,938 migrants ferried
Ferozepur, May 8, 2020: Among 163 Shramik special trains operated with more than 1.60 migrants stranded in various parts of the country, so far due to coronavirus-induced lockdown 16 trains have moved from Ferozepur Division ferrying 17938 migrants.
DRM Ferozepur Rajesh Aggarwal said Railways had planned these special trains on the requirement of the state government for the migrant worker to join their families in the wake of lockdown in Punjab during which the period labour has become surplus because of shutting down of industry, construction work and other allied works.
Every special train has 24 coaches, each with a capacity of 72 seats. But the national transporter is allowed only 54 people in a coach to maintain social distancing norms by not allotting the middle berth to any passenger.
There is official confirmation from the railways on these services but it is said to be 85:15 ratio with states and expenditure involved is around Rs.80 lakh per service.
Earlier, the railways drew flak from opposition parties for charging for these services. However, the railway authorities in its guidelines have said that trains will operate only if they have 90 percent occupancy and the states should collect the ticket fare.
Divulging with more details, DRM said, in all, 16 trains – Jalandhar 8, Ludhiana 7 and one from Amritsar - have moved from Ferozepur rail division till May 7 to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand for Gonda, Azamgarh, Hardoi, Purnia, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, and Daltonganj.
During the boarding operations, the migrants were ferried via buses from the designated collection centers to the railway station. The railways have ensured all adequate arrangements besides maintaining the social distancing, for screening before boarding into the train. RPF staff has also escorted the trains to ensure the safe journey up to their destination, said DRM.
One such train is being placed from Ferozepur which has so far registered around 4000 migrants online, starting from Fazilka and clubbing Bhatinda also on May 10 adding that in the coming days more trains will be arranged as and when the indent is placed with the railways.