Railways start Shramik Special Trains to move migrant workers and other stranded persons

Railways start Shramik Special Trains to move migrant workers and other stranded persons

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Disaster Management; Infrastructure (Railways)

In News:

• As per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, “Shramik Special” trains shall start running  from May 1 (Labour Day).
• The trains shall move migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places due to lockdown which is in force due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Key takeaways:

• These special trains will run from point to point on the request of both the concerned State Governments as per the standard protocols for sending and receiving such stranded persons. 
• The passengers shall be screened by the sending states. 
• Passengers who are found asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) would be allowed to travel. 
• Passengers shall be brought to the railway station in batches in sanitized buses while maintaining strict social distancing norms by the sending state governments. 
• It will be mandatory for every passenger to wear face cover. 
• Meals and drinking water would be provided. 
• On arrival at the destination, passengers will be received by the State Government, who would make all arrangements for their screening, quarantine if necessary and further travel from the Railway Station